Rain has come at a cost for some kiwifruit growers with the muggy weather causing a fungal infection on fruit.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated President Peter Ombler says the rain has had conflicting effects for growers.

'It is a bit of a mixed bag, we definitely needed rain because it was very dry before Christmas but the long period of humid conditions – there has been some fungal infection.”

Peter says the Schlerotinia infection leaves a fungal scar on the fruit.

He says the infection relates to green kiwifruit, not gold, and will affect later flowering crops more.

'A lot of flower parts and dead material are still hanging around fruit and the infection grows on them.

'It's (the rain) has come at a cost to some growers for sure.”

Peter says he thinks it will have an affect on the exporting market.

The later flowering kiwifruit will be harvested in June, with the first fruit coming off orchards in March says Peter.

The recent long period of rain in the Bay of Plenty may also lead to more spotting appearing on Psa affected kiwifruit vines.

More varied leaf symptoms have tested positive for Psa, the latest being blackening of leaf veins, says the latest industry advice to growers.

As a consequence orchardists are being advised the monitoring should be an ongoing orchard management practice.

Psa has been confirmed in 119 orchards now.

Orchardists are advised to make date and photograph any suspicious leaves or symptoms and report to Zespri and Grower Service Representative.

Any information relating to Psa will be on the newly formed www.kvh.org.nz website. Kiwifruit Vine Health is the industry organisation charged with managing the Psa response.