According to the New Zealand Herald, Fruitgrowers Federation vice-president and Satara co-operative chairman Andrew Fenton believes recent speculation over future deregulation and takeovers in the kiwifruit sector are the result of insufficient understanding.

Fenton was reported pointing out that single-desk marketeer Zespri is 100-per cent grower-owned and is protected from corporate raids, such as the one which saw Enza ultimately fall into GPG hands, because of a share voting cap. As a result, any would-be raider needs to own all the shares.

Fenton's comments come following predictions for deregulation within three years made last week by former top-fruit industry chief Joe Pope. And are also hot on the heels of Enza chairman Tony Gibbs's declaration that he aims to add kiwifruit to the Enza/Turners & Growers portfolio once the two GPG sister companies complete a merger.

Satara chief executive Craig Wallis was also quoted in the report saying that after four years of good returns to growers, most felt that the industry should 'follow a path of self-determination.' The dynamics and mood of the kiwifruit sector are widely recognised in New Zealand to be different to those in the top-fruit industry, the report concluded.

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