New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers president and Bay orchardist Peter Ombler has credited the single desk marketing model with attracting research and development money for the kiwifruit industry.
He says the announcement by the Minister of Research Science and Technology, the Hon Dr Wayne Mapp that $35 million is to go into kiwifruit research and development is great news for New Zealand growers.

Peter Ombler.

'I think it is a heck of a shot in the arm for the industry from the government – a re-affirmation of confidence. It shows they believe it's a successful industry, worthy of investment.”
He agreed the move was encouraging for growers in the face of increased production from competitors in Italy and Chile.
'Obviously we have no control over global quantities of green. It will be good to have some protection as with Gold. However, it would be naive of us to think that our competitors will not also be interested in new cultivars. But the thing that sets us apart from our competitors is the single desk. It is our strength along with the Zespri brand.”