PSA Kiwifruit Virus Spreads to Katikati

Posted by Gold FM on 30/09/2011

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The spread of the Psa - V kiwifruit virus will have a massive effect on the $1.25 billion export kiwifruit trade and is also likely to impact jobs in kiwifruit growing regions.

Seeka, the biggest fruit growing and packing company in New Zealand is asking for voluntary redundancy applications among it's 250 full time staff because of the likelihood of a drop in the crop volume next season.

The company also employs an estimated 3000 additional workers in the harvest season and operates 30 cool stores and 10 pack houses.

CEO Michael Franks said 261 hectares of gold kiwis and 291 hectares of green fruit orchards have so far been found to have the Psa - V disease including one in Waihi and one in Katikati.