New Zealand company Turners & Growers has been granted permission for an overseas retail trial of its gold variety kiwifruit, website Radionz.co.nz reported.

Kiwifruit New Zealand (KNZ) has approved the company's year-long collaborative marketing agreement to sell Enza Gold into mainland China, Hong Kong and South Korea

The approval is a breakthrough for the grower which has been struggling with it and marketer Zespri in the past over not being allowed to export new varieties.

Under the 1999 Kiwifruit Export Regulations, Zespri controls exports of kiwifruit to all overseas markets except Australia.

Turners & Growers chief executive officer Geoff Hipkins told Radio New Zealand the collaborative marketing agreement was a significant step for the company.

He said the trial would involve selling 60,000 trays of Enza Gold into South Korea and 30,000 trays into Hong Kong and mainland China.

Hipkins said he wanted the recent change in his company's attitude with Zespri, from conflict to one of co-operation, to continue.

KNZ only approves collaborative marketing agreements when it can be shown they will improve the overall wealth of New Zealand kiwifruit suppliers.

Zespri grower relations manager Simon Limmer said the agreement was one of three that KNZ has approved.

Related stories: NZ: 'Let's bury the hatchet' new T&G CEO tells Zespri

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