The Kiwifruit Growers Association and a group of post harvest operators are publicly voicing their support for Zespri and its single desk selling structure, in response to what they see as a new campaign to undermine it.
Zespri is under fire after its Chinese subsidiary and its China-based importer were convicted for underpaying import duties on kiwifruit shipments to China.
It is appealing against hefty fines and prison sentences.
The grower-owned company has denied any part in making false customs declarations, but has admitted that it should have been keeping a closer eye on invoicing arrangements.
The intensive media scrutiny and speculation has triggered a reaction from the kiwifruit establishment.
A group of post-harvest operators who between them handle about three quarters of the country's kiwifruit exports, have written to Government ministers and other MPs.
They say that whatever the outcome of court proceedings in China, they remain strong supporters of New Zealand's integrated kiwifruit industry structure, with Zespri as the marketer.
They say because of that, they are deeply concerned at what appears to them to be a public campaign, supported by an anonymous minority in the kiwifruit industry, to use the issue in an attempt destabilise the industry structure.
They aren't elaborating on who they think is behind the campaign, but they're worried it could do more damage to the industry than the Chinese case itself.
Kiwifruit Growers Association president Neil Trebilco has delivered the same message in a letter to the prime minister, saying that growers overwhelmingly support the single desk selling model.
Zespri expects appeals against the convictions and sentences imposed on its Chinese subsidiary and an employee to be heard around the end of the month.
