A 4th hearing for the francization of the kiwi was held this week, based on the DGCCRF survey published in March 2019. The BIK once again filed a civil suit in order to remind people of the harm done to French producers by this misappropriation of the kiwi fruit, and to put an end to such actions.
Destabilizing actions for the sector ...
The defendant was tried for alleged practices of francization of kiwis. He is suspected of having misappropriated the value of the French origin of kiwis and of having sold a large quantity of the fruit under a false French origin to an almost unique client. According to BIK estimates, he may have bought kiwis 39% below the value of French kiwis and sold them 34% above their value.
Such actions constitute real unfair competition for operators who have tried to market French kiwis fully meeting the constraints imposed by such an origin and who have lost markets, with impacts on the entire sector, from production to marketing.
... which mislead the consumer and harm the producer
Because the origin of fresh fruit (and vegetables) is a determining factor in the purchase decision of French consumers, such a fraud could discredit the authenticity and value of the French origin of kiwis and undermine the actions carried out by the BIK over several years to promote French kiwis to consumers.
It is truly harmful for the producers who are twice robbed of their hard work. Once if the consumer is disappointed and rejects the French origin, after a full year of hard work and long-term commitment (a kiwi orchard can produce for more than 20 years). And financially as well, by driving prices down and lowering the remuneration of French producers. Since the DGCCRF survey, the price paid to producers has increased by more than 60%. The BIK estimates that this loss of income for the producers could represent more than 88 million euros [107 million USD] for the 3 harvests from the survey: in other words, 1,265 ha of kiwi orchards that could have been planted!
Severe requisitions
The hearing lasted nearly 3 hours. The facts were exposed, revealing that it is the largest fraud in the francization of kiwis ever discovered by the DGCCRF. The prosecutor’s requisitions were severe:
- 6 months of conditional imprisonment
- a fine of 50,000 € [60,545 USD]
- a professional ban from participating in the kiwi trade. The case has been reserved and the final judgment will be rendered on February 23rd. The press file is available here.
For more information:
Adeline Gachein
Director
BIK: Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Kiwi
Phone: 06 73 07 93 28
adeline.gachein@kiwidefrance.fr