Zespri Halts Kiwifruit Exports to China After Fungus Discovery

Zespri Group, New Zealand’s biggest kiwifruit exporter, has temporarily suspended exports to China after officials there found a fungal infection in some fruit.

China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued a risk notification last week specifying more stringent inspection and quarantine processes on New Zealand kiwifruit entering Chinese ports, Zespri said in a statement Friday. The notification also requires strengthened pre-shipping processes and Zespri has halted shipments until new checking protocols are in place, it said.