Zespri has launched a civil case in the Auckland High Court for $70 million damages against the person who allegedly sent plants of its SunGold kiwifruit variety to China. Zespri told New Zealand kiwifruit growers last year they had discovered who the alleged offender was. READ MORE:* Zespri heads for record China kiwifruit export season* Zespri nears goal of selling Chinese-grown kiwifruit under own label* No criminal action open to Zespri against person who sent kiwifruit plants to China* Police probe into Zespri-owned gold kiwifruit plant material sent to ChinaNaumann said the plantings were not having a material impact on Zespri's business in China but they represented an infringement of its proprietary rights in China which Zespri took very seriously. GERARD HUTCHING/STUFF The SunGold variety has proved a big hit with Chinese consumers. Zespri does not officially grow SunGold in China yet, but has been investigating contracting growers to grow SunGold to its specifications.

Source: Stuff November 05, 2018 02:41 UTC