There's good news at last for Nelson's boysenberry growers, with a Japanese health supplements company filming an ad campaign championing the fruit's health properties.
John Gibb, head of Nelson-based processor and exporter Sujon, says researchers in Japan have identified boysenberries as being beneficial for eye-sight, as they contain good levels of a powerful antioxidant.
However, Mr Gibb says researchers aren't divulging the exact science behind their health claims.
A television crew will be in the South Island city this week filming boysenberry orchards, growers and processors for the campaign in Japan where a boysenberry extract will be sold in capules to consumers.
Mr Gibb said the industry has been long overdue for some good news, as the sector has suffered from a declining number of growers. He said over the past 40 years, numbers in the Nelson region have fallen from 120 to about 15 today.
