New Zealand’s government and kiwi industry have set aside a NZD 50 million (US$38.82 million) fund to fight the spread of the kiwi vine disease PSA, which has spread to two growing areas in the country over the last 12 days, kiwi exporter Zespri said in a statement.

Now a total of 31 orchards are confirmed to have the bacteria, which affects the vine that produces the kiwi fruit. The fund will go to growers to help reduce losses and contain the spread of the disease. The government and industry each contributed NZD 25 million to the fund.

In statements to local media, the country’s Agriculture Minister David Carter said that PSA will likely cost the industry some NZD 75 million.

Carter said that "eradication is not an option," but growers and officials were stepping up containment techniques such as more spraying to suppress the bacteria and heavy pruning of infected vines. Some compensation will also be provided to affected growers, the minister was quoted as saying.

Zespri remains optimistic, pointing to the fact that the 31 orchards represent only 1% of the entire industry. Furthermore, because the disease is not transferred via the fruit, trade partners have not taken actions to block New Zealand’s kiwi from entering the market.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com