Japan: growing Japanese demand for NZ blackcurrants
There is increasing demand in Japan for New Zealand black currants for their therapeutic potential.

Research in Japan is showing that black-currants have the potential to improve eyesight.

The New Zealand and Japanese black currant industries have agreed to collaborate on research, following a visit by Japanese growers processors and scienitsts last week.

One of the visitors, Dr Osamu Katsumi, said one of the benefits they've discovered from blackcurrant extracts is relieving eye strain associated with prolonged computer use.

Exports rise to 10,000 tonnes in four years

Blackcurrant New Zealand chief executive, Ian Turk, says the industry, based in Nelson and Canterbury, has more than doubled its production to more than 10,000 tonnes in the past four years. Most of that's exported as juice or frozen fruit.

Mr Turk says blackcurrant exports earned $NZ12 million last year; about a quarter of that from Japan.

Source: radionz.co.nz