Chinese fruit marketer Sichuan Yuwang Ecology Group, whose packhouse was damaged in the 12 May earthquake, is organising aid programmes for local kiwifruit growers hit by the disaster to help salvage their operations and enable them to resume production and earn money when the new season begins.

GM Wang Hong told Fruitnet that since most agricultural materials, from fertiliser to packaging, were buried in the earthquake, the company is calling on the domestic and international fresh produce industry to help secure supplies of these materials so that orchards can resume operations.

“We have already reached agreement with our contracted peach growers who will donate Yn0.1 for every peach that is sold to help kiwifruit growers with the reconstruction process after the disaster,” said Mr Wang.