New Zealand-based fresh produce marketing company Turners & Growers (T&G) has hit out at Zespri's dominance of kiwifruit exports outside of Australasia, calling for a revamp of New Zealand's long-standing single desk export system for the industry.
Speaking at the group's annual meeting, chairman Tony Gibbs said that T&G had attracted the interest of markets outside of Zespri's current distribution range, the National Business Review reported.
'I believe the time has come to change this outdated monopoly,' said Mr Gibbs. 'Offshore retailers are crying out for alternatives and now that Turners & Growers has its own green, gold and red varieties we are in a position to become, once again, a major force in the kiwifruit industry.'
Zespri was awarded single-desk export status in 1999 following an industry restructure, meaning only Zespri or New Zealand exporters with collaborative contracts can sell kiwifruit in export markets outside of Australia.
The single-desk system has been in place in the country's kiwifruit industry since 1987, having been introduced by growers to combat perceived overseas undercutting by exporters that in turn reduced orchard returns.
Meanwhile, the meeting saw T&G re-elect Brian D'Ath, Michael Dossor and Tina Symmans as executive director, non-executive director and independent director respectively.
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