The appeal was ordered last week by the High Court in Tauranga, in a fast track judicial review after two applications by Seeka and one by Splice Fruit, were rejected late last year. Seeka wanted to export 400,000 trays of Green fruit to Hainan Island in China and 120,000 trays of Green fruit to Xinjiang province in China.

KNZ held its reconsideration hearing on 9 May 2016 and has advised Seeka that their applications had been rejected on appeal, said Chief Executive Michael Franks.

“It’s a black day for New Zealand kiwifruit growers,” he said. “We are still taking time to digest the decision and its implications, but we are deeply disappointed. We believe the programme we proposed would have added value to New Zealand growers, which is the key purpose of the collaborative marketing programme.

“It is particularly unfortunate that our programme, which would have added value and increased sales, has been rejected in a season where we believe there will be an oversupply of Hayward Green fruit.”