Growers are reminded that unpicked kiwifruit must be removed from vines by 1 July each year (which is the end of next week).

This is because unpicked fruit can increase the amount of wild kiwifruit plants establishing in nearby areas of native bush or forestry. Fruit ripening over the winter months provides a food source for birds (such as the wax-eye/tauhou) that then spread seed through their droppings, together with a small fertiliser package. A proportion of this seed can readily germinate.

Unpicked fruit needs to be dropped to the ground and mulched. This prevents mass-feeding by birds over the entire winter period.

Under the National Psa Pest Management Plan (NPMP) it is a requirement to remove all unpicked fruit from vines by 1 July each year. After this date KVH will follow-up reports of unpicked fruit with orchard owners and post-harvest companies.