When we speak with and visit nurseries as part of the Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme (KPCS), we’re reminded of how important it is to those businesses that growers order their plants well in advance.

Without a reliable estimate of anticipated demand for the next season nurseries take a conservative approach to avoid getting left with unsold stock. Growers should order plants as far in advance as possible – preferably a year – to avoid any shortage in supply.

Growers must only purchase plants that are KPCS certified and KVH movement controls must be observed. With the 2022 Zespri Licence Release this is a timely reminder that there are still Exclusion areas in the Far North and South Island. As the red budwood currently being supplied by Zespri is all from Psa positive orchards, these orchards and any orchard in any region which is Not Detected cannot currently obtain RubyRed budwood.

Greenfields developments are considered Psa Not Detected so should be sourcing Full Certification plants. If you have a new development that does not currently have a Zespri KPIN, and you are wanting to source plants from a kiwifruit nursery you will need to contact KVH to be issued with a Greenfields number (until you have a KPIN) so the nursery can supply you with plants.

A list of nurseries and their KPCS status is available on the KVH website.

Please contact KVH on 0800 665 825 if you would like more information about the requirements.