Northland kiwifruit grower Kerry Farrand had to dump nearly 30,000 trays of gold kiwifruit after powerful insecticide Calypso was sprayed on the fruit growing.
A Northland kiwifruit grower is still waiting for information almost a month after posting a $50,000 reward for evidence that could lead to a conviction for the sabotage of his prized fruit.
Kerry Farrand, owner of Farrand Orchards in Kerikeri, had to dump nearly 30,000 trays of gold kiwifruit after
powerful insecticide Calypso was sprayed on the fruit growing in two orchards over 2.26ha last month.
With Zespri - the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit - paying him $8 per tray, Mr Farrand said he had lost about $220,000 in income for the year.
The spray meant he was unable to sell the kiwifruit on the world market as residue levels of the spray used exceeded the approved levels.
Mr Farrand had no doubts the kiwifruit were contaminated by someone who knew the industry well and was qualified to spray Calypso.
