Zespri International, the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit, has been fined $500,000 for anti-competitive behaviour in the Korean market.
The Korean fair trade commission (KFTC) fined the company yesterday for hindering the domestic sale of kiwifruit.
The commission found Zespri signed a sales contract with E-Mart, the nation's number one supermarket chain, not to sell cheaper Chilean kiwis.
A similar deal was made with Lotte Mart, Korea's No3 supermarket player.
"The distribution of cheaper Chilean kiwis at major retail chains would prompt price competition within the industry," said a KFTC official.