The new gold kiwifruit known as G3 will become the industry's main stream, profitable fruit which is why Direct Management Services is prepared to spend its own money helping growers convert their orchard to the variety, says DMS director Paul Jones.

The Western Bay of Plenty kiwifruit management and post-harvest operator says G3 delivers on productivity, profits and Psa-tolerance.

G3 – the new sweet, gold kiwifruit DMS expects to become the mainstream crop for the industry.

'DMS is so confident in the future potential of this variety, we are going to spend our own money to help growers convert their orchards to G3,” says Paul.

It already grows G3 and is hosting an information evening for growers on April 10 to explain the conversion programme, and its own results growing the variety.

'The G3 variety is relatively easy to grow compared with green kiwifruit, it has a much higher productivity rate and can be up to six times more profitable than the green variety.”

G3, the variety developed by Plant and Food Research, was commercially released after three years of pre-trials and testing in 2010 – the same year Psa struck the original gold variety, 16A. The variety was bred for specific attributes, including size, productivity and taste, but has also turned out to be more Psa tolerant than other varieties.

Paul says he firmly believes G3 offers significant future potential for the industry.

A kiwifruit grower and manager for more than 20 years, Paul converted some of his family orchard into G3 in 2010 with a successful and profitable first harvest in 2012. He converted more in 2011 and 2012 and has been impressed with the results.

He says Psa will never be fully eradicated and while green kiwifruit will continue to be profitable for productive growers, the 16A kiwifruit gold variety has no future in a Psa environment.

'G3 will become the mainstream New Zealand Gold variety in the future and we already know it is profitable to grow.

'We're aware that many growers have been hesitant to convert to the new variety. Given the impact Psa has had on the industry, we understand their uncertainty and would encourage them to attend our information evening to find out more.

'We will be outlining our plans at that time and providing information about the huge potential we believe G3 offers.”

The DMS grower information evening will be held on April 10 at the TECT Arena, Baypark, at Mount Maunganui. For further information and to register, growers should go to ww.DMS4kiwi.co.nz.

DMS operates across the Western Bay of Plenty, with growers located from Katikati in the north to Edgecumbe in the east. It has two large packhouse facilities in Te Puke and Te Puna, and is one of the largest independent, privately owned kiwifruit management companies in New Zealand.

Paul Jones (right) of Direct Management Services has faith in the future of the new gold kiwifruit G3.