Some of New Zealand's best young fruit growers will battle it out to win the annual Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower 2014 competition in two weeks.

Five competitors will go all out in a one-day regional competition at 9am on Wednesday, June 18, at ASB Arena BayPark, Mount Maunganui.

Chris Anstis, 2013 Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year with Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy.

The winner will then compete against three other champions for the prestigious Young Grower of the Year 2014 title at the national competition run by Horticulture New Zealand in Christchurch on 14-15 August.

'Each year we see a number of young fruit growers come through the ranks, and this competition shows just how committed a lot of them are to building a promising career in horticulture,” says New Zealand Kiwifruit Grower Incorporated president Neil Trebilco.

'Our young fruit growers are the future of the industry and it's great that they're able to showcase their skills in this competition.

'We've got a healthy mix of fruit growing experience in New Zealand, so each year is always a good show because you never know who will come out on top.”

The five competitors come from a range of areas, including one from Northland:

·Katikati: Craig Ward (25), Technical Advisor at Apata Group Limited; Simon Bowker (27), Field Manager at Hume Pack and Cool

·Tauranga: Chris Clement (27), Operations Advisor at Kiwifruit Vine Health

·Te Puke: Samantha Mansell (25), Line Quality Manager at Eastpack

·Whangarei (Northland): Patrick Malley (30), Contracting Manager/Director at Onyx Capital Limited

Core skills to running a fruit growing business will be simulated in a range of challenges from biosecurity to tree planting to orchard administration.

Chris Anstis, who won the Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower 2013 competition, says young horticulturists need opportunities to apply their skills in a high-pressure environment to understand where their strengths and weaknesses are as a fruit grower.

'I had a great time competing at the regional and national level last year. The experience stretched me beyond my years and I see the positive impact it has had on my career daily.

'I wish all the 2014 competitors the best of luck and look forward to the results.”