Published on

At one point there were more illegal golden #kiwi than legal ones. #newzealand #china

Introduction

The Sun Gold variety of golden kiwi is a coveted strain controlled by Zespri, a cooperative of kiwi fruit growers based in New Zealand. This perfected strain boasts an impressive export value of $ 253 million New Zealand dollars. The lucrative nature of growing golden kiwis has incited a feud between New Zealand and China, where the fruit is originally native.

Due to the exclusive nature of Sun Gold kiwis, not everyone has the ability to cultivate them. Zespri meticulously regulates the number of licenses issued each year, with growers bidding for these licenses. In 2022, the median price for a Sun Gold license reached a staggering $ 81,000 per hectare.

However, controversy arose when a kiwi grower managed to smuggle Sun Gold sprouts overseas, resulting in a surge of illegal orchards emerging in China. The smuggler faced hefty penalties, receiving fines amounting to 144 million New Zealand dollars in damages. Despite this, the unauthorized Sun Gold orchards grew exponentially, leading to a situation where, at one point, there were reportedly more illegal golden kiwis in China than their legal counterparts.

Keywords

  • Sun Gold
  • Zespri
  • Golden Kiwi
  • New Zealand
  • China
  • Licenses
  • Smuggling
  • Illegal Orchards

FAQ

What is Sun Gold kiwi?
Sun Gold kiwi is a specific variety of golden kiwi controlled by Zespri, known for its high value in exports.

Why is the growing of golden kiwis lucrative?
The cultivation of golden kiwis is lucrative due to the high demand and the substantial export value, which reached $ 253 million New Zealand dollars for the Sun Gold variety.

What issue arose between New Zealand and China regarding golden kiwis?
A feud emerged due to the exclusive licensing by Zespri, with illegal orchards sprouting in China after stolen Sun Gold sprouts were smuggled overseas.

How much did a Sun Gold license cost in 2022?
In 2022, the median price for a Sun Gold license hit $ 81,000 per hectare.

What happened to the smuggler of Sun Gold sprouts?
The smuggler was fined 144 million New Zealand dollars in damages, yet illegal orchards continued to proliferate in China.

Read More