Crop proves fruitful for employment

The kiwifruit industry now accounts for 19 per cent of the Bay of Plenty's gross domestic product.

A Waikato University study has found that the sector generates $1.5 billion directly for the region and support industries generate another $2 billion.

The sector employs 18,425 people - 19 per cent of the local workforce - either directly or indirectly.

"Kiwifruit is to the Bay of Plenty what dairying is to the Waikato," said Associate Professor Warren Hughes, who did the research for Zespri.

Kiwifruit is New Zealand's largest horticultural export, with sales of $911 million in the year to March 31. Liam Dann