The growth of the kiwiberry sector within the kiwifruit industry has been highlighted by its industry group joining the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) on biosecurity.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has approved the application for NZ Kiwiberry Growers Incorporated (NZKBG) to join the GIA partnership. NZKBG will be represented by Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), which was the first industry group to sign up for the GIA in May 2014.
The kiwiberry sector is made up of about 40 producing, or soon to be producing, hectares - most of which are based in the Bay of Plenty region. Last year NZKBG generated $4.2 million in revenue, of which 90 per cent came from exports.
NZKBG chairman Geoff Oliver, a pioneering grower of the kiwiberry, said joining the partnership would give the industry the opportunity to influence decision-making in the event of a biosecurity response being required.
"This means we can all work together on managing and responding to the biosecurity risks that impact our industry," said Mr Oliver, who is co-managing director of Kiwi Produce.