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Horticulture New Zealand has warned many fruit and vegetable growers will leave the industry if fresh produce prices in the country do not improve, Radio New Zealand has reported.

The body's chief executive, Peter Silcock, said prices are lower than they were five years ago, yet the costs associated with production, such as labour, fuel and certification fees, are higher than ever.

Mr Silcock said there has already been a big decline in grower numbers in recent years, and many farmers were doing it tough. He added that fruit and vegetable growers need to demand higher prices for their produce.

Prices for fruit and vegetables fell by over two per cent last month, the eleventh month in the past year in which prices had fallen.