The Kiwifruit industry is being given a huge vote of confidence, with stunning prices being paid for gold kiwifruit licences this year.
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.
RNZ
