Kiwifruit down 12pc

Kiwifruit returns were set to fall by around 12 per cent in 2007-08 because of the high dollar, tougher competition and high volumes of fruit, industry marketer and exporter Zespri said yesterday.

Zespri, the world's biggest kiwifruit exporter, forecast an average payout to growers of $6.91 a tray of fruit from last year's $7.82. Chief executive Tony Nowell said the high currency would probably cost growers $63 million this season.

Total returns to growers may reach $662 million after an expected 18 per cent rise in production to 93 million trays.