Kiwifruit harvests in New Zealand's main growing region in the Bay of Plenty could be devastated by climate change, scientists say.
The region is home to about 90 per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit industry with more than half of that based around the town of Te Puke.
The Hayward variety of kiwifruit grown in the area is suited to the local climate and soils, including warm springs, mild summers and autumns, and a high number of sunshine hours.
However, warmer global temperatures will also change the climate of the region, NIWA scientist and lead author into a study on the industry's future Dr Andrew Tait says.
"Our study shows that kiwifruit production around Te Puke steadily decreases over coming decades," he said.