Listen: Red kiwifruit trial successful so far

Trialling a new type of kiwifruit is not without its challenges says Zespri's Chairman Bruce Cameron.

"It's quite a soft fruit so it needs to be handled carefully."

Cameron spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay about the customer trials, which are taking place New Zealand and Singapore.

Zespri wants to know what consumers and retailers think of the taste, colour, shelf-life and storage handling of the red fruit, which Cameron said is still some way off from full commercialisation.

"We will be making a decision later on in the year around October whether we commercialise it."

So far customers have responded positively said Cameron.

"The consumer research that we've been doing over the last three of four years with it in market suggest that it is a very attractive proposition - and the consumer loves it."

So what makes the red kiwifruit stand out from its green and gold counterparts?

"It's got a taste that is very kiwifruit but has that sort of boysenberry type taste to it. It's a beautiful sweet fruit."

As an added bonus red is a very lucky colour for the Asian market said Cameron.

"It ticks a few boxes."

Also in today's interview, Cameron discusses the start of the new season's harvest, the Growers Group taking on MPI, how the big dry is affecting the Bay of Plenty, and indulges Jamie in some rugby reminiscing.