Kiwifruit Growers Congratulate Apple Colleagues

10 AUGUST 2010

MEDIA RELEASE

Kiwifruit Growers Congratulate Apple Colleagues on WTO Win

Kiwifruit growers are congratulating their colleagues in the apple industry, Trade Minister Tim Groser and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) for their historic win at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over exports to Australia.

"All New Zealand exporters depend on the integrity of international trade rules and so we all win when they are enforced through action at the WTO," said Mr Peter Ombler, President NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated.

"Apple growers, Mr Groser and MFAT are all to be congratulated for their role in taking this tough but now successful step."

Mr Ombler said kiwifruit growers were particularly pleased that a new market would be opening up for their apple grower colleagues given the tough times the apple industry had endured over the last decade.

"We believe that, like all of New Zealand's high-quality horticulture offerings, apples have a great future. It is true that apple exports have declined over the last decade from $800 million in 2000 to just $570 million in 2009 and the launch of the premium JAZZ variety was not as successful as many would have hoped, with grower returns below the average apple return in 2009," he said.

"Hopefully this decision will see a return to growth for the apple industry and profitability for apple growers, particularly for those growing JAZZ. That can only be good for the broader New Zealand horticulture industry and the wider New Zealand economy."

ENDS

About New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI)

NZKGI was established in 1993 to represent New Zealand’s 3,500 kiwifruit growers and give growers their own voice in industry and government decision making and was formed following the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in the early 1990’s.

NZKGI’s VISION is to be a strong grower organisation that demonstrates industry leadership in which growers and other industry participants actively participate.

NZKGI’s MISSION is to represent, protect and enhance the commercial and political interests of New Zealand Kiwifruit growers.

NZKGI’s Grower Forum consists of 25 regional and district representatives and 13 industry group representatives. Forum members are elected every three years by all kiwifruit growers via a postal ballot.

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