Turners and Growers says it is in a position to again become a major force in the kiwifruit industry, and has hit out at the Government-established Kiwifruit Marketing Board.
Turners and Growers chairman Tony Gibbs says the marketing board is an outdated monopoly, and Turners has had interest from markets outside the Zespri distribution network.
He says the company is fighting to regain the ability to export the fruit through its own infrastructure but recent attempts have met with resistance.
Mr Gibbs says Turners and Growers has appealed the Kiwifruit Marketing Board's decisions, but has been turned down again.
He says that is a disgraceful protectionist action which will disadvantage growers.
