Wrangle delays apple shipment

Pipfruit New Zealand business development manager Gary Jones (left) and chief executive Alan Pollard.

Several shipping containers of New Zealand apples are being held-up at a port in Spain because of issues involving pre-export inspections.

But Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard expects the issue to be resolved without putting the apples at risk.

He said the matter is being handled by Ministry of Primary Industries representatives, and relates to questions about the time between inspection and export of the fruit, which is in refrigerated containers.

Mr Pollard said it was among the issues which arise when exporting fruit to the range of countries with which New Zealand is involved.

"We face all sorts of issues," he said. "We export to 70 markets."

He was last night unable to confirm the number of containers, although Hawke's Bay Today had been told five were involved.