Independent kiwifruit growers have raised concerns about the behaviour of marketing organisation Zespri in overseas markets. Top concern is the inquiring by regulators in Korea who are investigating Zespri’s arrangement of exclusive deals with supermarkets to shut out competitors.
The Independent Kiwifruit Growers Association (IKGA) has sent a letter to Zespri seeking a response to its concerns about the Korean situation, and whether similar action has been taken by the organisation in other markets.
Zespri has been fined NZ$500,000 by the Korean Fair Trade Commission for a breach of trade regulations, and the IKGA claim that this charge is a cost to growers who are the ultimate beneficiaries of Zespri profits. Currently the kiwifruit industry is waiting on Korean developments to see whether Zespri will face criminal charges over the issue.
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