The Kiwifruit industry is being given a huge vote of confidence, with stunning prices being paid for gold kiwifruit licences this year.
Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Each year Zespri releases new gold licences, and this year 700 hectares was up for grabs.
Successful bidders have been told the lowest price paid for a gold licence was $378,000 a hectare. That's $100,000 more than last year's lowest price.
A kiwifruit grower told RNZ the result is mind blowing.
It would mean developing a kiwifruit block from a greenfield will cost around $800-900,000 a hectare.
Meanwhile it is the first time red kiwifruit licences have been available, and it Is understood the lowest price was around $35,000 a hectare.
Bidding for both licences was over-subscribed.