Anaru Timutimu, the chair of Māori Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, highlighted the significance of their agreement with Zespri for kiwifruit sales to Hawaii, emphasizing the opportunity for both learning and earning.
Last week, approximately 20 Māori growers, alongside Kingi Tuheitia, were present in Honolulu to inaugurate the season. Timutimu noted the organization's anticipation of selling around 100,000 trays in the Hawaiian market, marking a 30 percent increase from the previous year's sales. Despite this figure representing only a small portion of New Zealand's total kiwifruit exports, which amount to 190 million trays, the venture into Hawaii is deemed an important initial step. Timutimu expressed the special connection to Hawaii, citing genealogical and voyaging links. Additionally, the organization is exploring kiwifruit export possibilities to Taiwan and the Middle East.
Source: waateanews.com