Zespri

Zespri will allow another 1800 hectares of its SunGold kiwifruit to be grown under license in Europe.

Zespri will allocate an additional 1800 hectares of land for its European SunGold brand, two-thirds of which will be in Italy.

The government is updating kiwifruit export regulations, which Zespri says will move the industry forward to keep up with its rapid growth.

Zespri will resume shipping kiwifruit to China on Friday after a temporary halt in supplies due to a fungus found in a routine inspection, the company says.

Another day, another revelation about when the government became aware of a possible trade dispute with China, and what was done about it.

The government was aware in May that China had trade concerns, Trade Minister Todd McClay now says. Audio

There is no reason to believe China will take retaliatory action over steel, the Prime Minister says. Video, Audio

In Focus - Prime Minister John Key talks to Morning Report's Guyon Espiner about China and Zespri. Video

Zespri has temporarily halted all kiwifruit exports to its biggest market after fungus was reportedly found in two containers during routine checks. Audio

Trade Minister Todd McClay now says he was made aware Chinese officials had approached Zespri about trade retaliation. Audio

Chinese officials warned kiwifruit marketing company Zespri there could be retaliation if New Zealand investigated claims of steel dumping.

After checking millions of kiwifruit for packaging contamination, Zespri says the fruit is safe to eat.

Millions of kiwifruit held up from export after an oil contamination scare are being checked using new technology invented for the purpose.

About 1.7 million trays of kiwifruit have been placed on precautionary hold because of potential contamination in the packaging, says Zespri.