Bay of Plenty's young fruit grower champion is set to battle it out next week for the national title of Young Grower of the Year 2016.

Chris Clement, 29, from Apata Group triumphed over five other young fruit growers to be take home the Bay of Plenty title last month.

Chris Clement, Bay of Plenty's young fruit grower of the year is vying for the national title.

On July 19 and 20, he will test his horticultural skills and knowledge against the other finalists to compete for the national title of Young Grower of the Year 2016 in the event at the Pukekohe Indian Association Centre in Pukekohe.

The Young Grower of the Year competition is run by industry representative Horticulture New Zealand and is now in its tenth year. In the national competition, one vegetable grower is pitted against four fruit growers to vie for the title.

Chris works in Technical Operations for Apata Group based in Te Puke. He entered the kiwifruit industry in 2008 after studying for a Bachelor of Science majoring in Horticultural Science at Massey University. He also has a Certificate in Sustainable Nutrient Management. This is Chris's fourth year entering the competition, having placed 2nd in two previous years.

During the competition next week Chris will compete in a series of practical and theoretical challenges designed to test the skills needed to run a successful export-focused horticultural business. All finalists also take part in a leadership panel discussion, before delivering a speech in front of the judges at a dinner event, where the winner is announced.

Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive, Mike Chapman, says the aim of the competition was to foster excellence amongst young growers and future-proof what is a $5 billion industry that exports 60 per cent of total production to about 124 countries.

Mike says many current owners of horticultural farms and orchards needed to look at succession planning, and events such as the Young Grower of the Year competition served to recognise burgeoning talent, reinforce excellent national standards and hopefully attract new young people to the industry.

'The competition is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our exceptional young growers while also supporting them in their futures. Chris is a great example of young people who are passionate about the industry's future and their role in it. He has such a promising career ahead of him.”

Chris will compete against the following finalists:

• Young Vegetable Grower 2016 – Andrew Hutchinson, Pukekohe
• Hawke's Bay Young Fruit Grower 2016 – Jordan James
• Otago Young Fruit Grower 2016 – Jack Gilchrist
• Nelson Young Fruit Grower 2016 – Tom Dalziel