By 2031, the currently approved hectares would meet less than 30 per cent of the demand in the New Zealand off-season, Hulbert said.
"The proposed expansion of up to 10,000 additional hectares of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit would allow us to meet up to 90 per cent of that demand - achieving 12-month supply in key markets."
"If the vote is successful how we've structured the plantings is we're going to do a first tranche that takes us from now until 2028, and that'll be 6000 hectares. And every year, we will report to the industry on the progress of those plantings.
"Now, when we get to 2028, the Zespri board needs to undertake to look at the supply and demand equation and to make sure that supply is always 10 million trays below potential demand. And then they will give us approval on an annual basis to continue with that next 4000 hectares to complete the 10,000 hectares."
Hulbert said Zespri did a road show in March to chat to growers about the proposal.
"We got really good feedback about the pros and cons and some risks: one of the grower's big concerns was that we always kept demand ahead of supply which is one of our principals at Zespri."
"The way the proposal is designed is that if it comes to a point where there is too much planted we can stop there and pull back."
He said if it did not get across the line, it would be business as usual.
"We'll continue with the 5000 hectares that we have, but we will then have an increasing gap between supply and demand.
"If it doesn't get across the line with the growth in New Zealand fruit and increasing customer and sales rates we will never be able to achieve 12 month supply and the real danger of that is it will let competitor kiwifruit come on the shelves and fill that space that we're leaving."
NZKGI which represents growers said reaction to the idea has been mixed.
Chief executive Colin Bond said some growers were excited about the prospect of securing a 12-month supply while others were worried about risks.
"There's the biosecurity risk which isn't new in our industry, but the main concern with year-round supply is where does the New Zealand supply end and where does the offshore supply start, so there are concerns about those shoulder seasons."
He said NZKGI was focused on ensuring growers were well-informed to cast a vote.
"We've reached out to a number of experts on 12 months supply to understand their perspective and the feedback was consistent.
"And that was with 12 months supply, you get your product in front of consumers all year round, and you've got shelf space all year round.
"I'm hoping growers are informed and get out and vote, that's the important thing."
- RNZ
