The Bay of Plenty's top young fruit growers will go head-to-head for the prestigious title of Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower 2012 next week.

The five men from Te Puke and Tauranga will take part in the day-long event on Wednesday, June 20, at Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui.

Last year's Young Grower of the Year, Campbell Wood.

Adam Bond, 26, Cody Bent, 24, Chris Jennings, 21, Tim Webb, 30, and Joel Wanhill, 24, will be tested in essential and practical skills a successful fruit grower needs to run a business and productive crops.

The annual competition has been running since 2005 and Mike Chapman from NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated says it has gone from strength to strength.

'This year is no exception.

'This competition helps the regions and Horticulture New Zealand promote excellence within the industry and makes for a really rewarding event."

Last year's winner Campbell Wood, from Tauranga, believes the competition brings out the best in young people.

"I really enjoyed my Young Grower experience last year; I really pushed my skills to the limit and got to meet some really great people along with way.

'Being part of the competition really helped my career and I'm looking forward to seeing what this year's contestants have to offer."

The winner of this year's Bay of Plenty Fruit Grower competition will win $1500, with a runner prize of $1000 and a second runner-up prize of $500.

The competition winner will also go on to compete for the national title at the Young Grower of the Year competition being held in Auckland in July at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference.