Kiwifruit industry regulator, Kiwifruit New Zealand, has given approval for Turners & Growers to go ahead with an overseas retail trial of its gold variety.
The company has a year-long collaborative marketing agreement to sell Enza Gold into China, Hong Kong and South Korea.
Turners & Growers has been at odds for several years with Kiwifruit New Zealand and kiwifruit marketer Zespri over not being allowed to export its new varieties of kiwifruit grown in New Zealand.
Under the 1999 Kiwifruit Export Regulations, Zespri controls exports of kiwifruit to all overseas markets except Australia.
Turners & Growers chief executive Geoff Hipkins says the collaborative marketing agreement is a significant step for the company.
He says the trial will entail selling 60,000 trays of Enza Gold into South Korea and 30,000 trays into Hong Kong and China.
Mr Hipkins wants the recent change in his company's attitude with Zespri from conflict to co-operation to continue.
Kiwfruit New Zealand only approves collaborative marketing agreements when it can be shown that it will improve the overall wealth of New Zealand kiwifruit suppliers.
Zespri grower relations manager Simon Limmer says the agreement is one of three that Kiwifruit New Zealand has approved.
He says it is a collaborative marketing approach aimed at adding value for kiwifruit growers.
