kiwifruit marketer, Zespri, says it will continue to contest multi-million dollar claims against it by two Chinese importing companies, after the High Court dismissed one of the claims.
The Chinese companies, Shanghai Neuhof and Shanghai Hui Zhang were claiming a total of $NZ33.5 million for court fines and losses they say resulted from Zespri terminating their contracts.
Zespri ended its relationship with the companies after one of them, Shanghai Neuhof, was convicted of smuggling and fined for under-payment of duties on imports of Zespri kiwifruit.
The High Court has struck out Shanghai Neuhof's claim against Zespri for the $8 million fine imposed on it.
The remaining claims have yet to proceed, but Zespri said it will vigourously contest those, as well and said it is unlikely to succeed.
