New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated president Grant Eynon announced that the green, Gold and organic (COKA) kiwifruit grower groups have all decided to come on board with NZGI. The body is a totally independent grower representative body that acts as a forum to interact with third parties. It has 42 elected grower representatives.

'This is a tremendous move forward,' said Eynon. 'Our sector has suffered greatly from a fractured and diverse representation, but now NZKGI is the one-stop-shop to protect and enhance growers' commercial and political interests.' The organisation has been working hard in the early months of the year to re-define and strengthen its role and the new alliance with all grower groups means it will be able to have meaningful discussions and representation with suppliers and with single-desk marketing group Zespri.

'Our strength in off-shore markets lies in us working together,' said Eynon. 'It is something that is ongoing to ensure that everyone's views continue to be represented.' Issues occupying NZKGI's focus this season are timing, payment and quality standards, Eynon told the Journal. He also reported that the kiwifruit harvest has just started and despite frosts in the spring, the second half of the growing season has been kind to growers.

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