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Horticulture
The kiwifruit industry launched a campaign to attract more workers, as international demand for the fruit continues to grow.

Zespri reports record revenue, as global kiwifruit sales boom
There are worker shortages across the horticulture sector including the kiwifruit industry, which produced a video to recruit workers.

$1m Government funding announced to get Kiwis into horticulture
Executive Officer for Olives New Zealand, Gayle Sheridan talked to Rural Exchange about the wins at the New York International Olive Oil Competition.

New Zealand olive oils shine in international awards
An Auckland couple have made it their mission to rescue and re-home bees across the city's rooftops.

Celebrating World Bee Day: Fun facts about the honey bee

Watch: The kiwifruit industry recently produced a video to help recruit workers for the harvest.

Government to invest in Eastern Bay of Plenty horticulture project
Listen: Mike Chapman spoke to Rural Today's Dominic George about the competition.

Lightning strikes twice - dual winners again for Young Vegetable Grower contest
Listen: Mike Chapman talks to Rural Today's Dominic George about the competition.

Young vegetable growers vie for national title
Opinion A recent Royal Commission report was critical of Australian banks

Opinion: How much capital is enough?
Listen: NZ Avocado Chief Executive, Jen Scoular's reaction to the $12.50 price tag on some fruit.

Why the price of an avocado has soared past $12
Watch: New Zealand Avocado Industry CEO Jen Scoular talks to Rural Exchange.

'Avocado price blowout': Extra orchards planted to cope with demand
Watch: How the robotic farm produces leafy greens.

Robot-reared vegetables to hit US market
Watch: The kiwifruit industry has produced a video to help recruit workers

Labour inspectors target BOP kiwifruit orchards
The review was ordered after fruit flies were discovered on Auckland North Shore.

Biosecurity review recommends changes to protect borders
Feijoa's are muched loved in New Zealand, but as Lloyd Burr found out, they are hard to find in London.

Northland feijoa orchards devastated by fungal disease
Watch: Each fruit fly found costs taxpayers $1 million to handle.

Another fruit fly found: Restrictions back in place in Northcote
A lack of workers has been a challenge for apple growers.

Countdown switches to organic apples, as consumer demand soars
Climate change and housing sprawl are the two biggest problems for the country's food basket.

Report highlights concern over use of prime growing land for housing
The deep fried kiwifruit has been described as a 'taste explosion'.

Queenstown fish and chip shop's unusual Easter treat
Opinion A Hawke's Bay orchard recently became the first in the world to use a robotic harvester for a commercial apple harvest.

Opinion: AI means a future of 'robocrops' is on the way

Listen: Michael Ahern from Strawberry Growers NZ talks to Rural Today about a proposed new industry levy.

Strawberry industry group proposes commodity levy for growers
The discovery of fruit flies sparked a biosecurity operation on Auckland's North Shore, and a review of biosecurity processes.

Biosecurity NZ gets tough on unauthorised cargo facilities

Watch: Dogs Frieda and Levi are also putting their noses to work.

Public asked for help naming biosecurity sniffer puppy
As well as a challenging season, growers also had to cope with orchard thefts.

Avocado lovers paying top dollar after challenging season for growers
WATCH: The kiwifruit industry produced a video as part of a major recruitment campaign.

Kiwifruit industry welcomes declaration of seasonal labour shortage in BOP
Apiculture NZ's Bruce Wills spoke to Rural Exchange recently about challenges facing the industry.

Industry survey shows bee numbers dropping
Sponsored WATCH: Grant Hagarty talks to Rural Exchange's Hamish McKay and Richard Loe.

Autumn tips for on-farm weed control

Sponsored
Along with the pea weevil, authorities are also working to get rid of the stink bug.

Efforts to knock out pea weevil population paying off
The new technology is being hailed as a game changer for the apple industry.

Watch: World's first commercial robotic apple harvest underway
The discovery of the beetles comes as authorities try to contain fruit fly in Auckland.

Destructive beetle discovered in New Zealand for first time
Watch: The kiwifruit industry has produced a video to help recruit workers

First gold kiwifruit of season en-route to China and Japan
Opinion The discovery of fruit flies have sparked a biosecurity operation on Auckland's North Shore.

Opinion: Finding fruit flies doesn't mean the system is broken
Watch: Nigel Latta explains how to talk to your kids about terrorism.

Horticulture NZ: 'Keep an eye on the people around you who may be struggling'
The discovery of fruit flies on Auckland's North Shore has been causing disruption for businesses in the area.

More fruit flies discovered in Auckland
Opinion The Prime Minister outlined the Government's economic plan for 2019 to a business audience in Auckland recently.

Opinion: Horticulture's ask from 2019 Budget
WATCH: Rural Exchange recently spoke to Nikki Johnson from NZ Kiwifruit Growers about a new worker recruitment campaign.

Gold and green rush underway
Bruce Wills said vote outcome was not what he had been hoping for.

Industry group 'disappointed' after beekeepers vote against levy
The latest discovery is not causing as much concern as the recent fruit fly finds.

Exotic insect discovered in NZ for the first time
Hawke's Bay apple growers were already facing worker shortages.

Influenza hits Hawke's Bay fruit pickers
Opinion Dr Eason says New Zealand should develop knowledge and products for consumers who wish to personalise their diets to fit their needs.

Plant-based foods are a healthier choice for us and our planet
Watch: Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor visited the field operation in Devonport in mid-February.

Fruit fly scare: Restrictions extended
Queensland Fruit Fly - Bactrocera tryoni

Third Queensland fruit fly found in Northcote
Watch: There's speculation the latest fire in Nelson was deliberately lit.

Latest Nelson fire might have been arson
Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor visited the field operation in Devonport.

Biosecurity response ramps up after second fruit fly discovered
Watch: Horticulture NZ's Mike Chapman talks to Rural Exchange about the dry conditions facing many growers.

Produce prices likely to skyrocket as big dry continues
Watch: The kiwifruit industry has produced a video to help recruit workers

Kiwifruit sector front-foots campaign to find pickers
A fruit fly was found in Devonport, and a second one has been discovered in Otara.

Minister cuts short trade visit as second fruit fly discovered
The lack of rain is having a major impact on growers in the Nelson area.

Drought conditions force early apple harvest in Nelson
Biosecurity Minister Damien O'Connor visited the field operation in Devonport.

'$1m per fruit fly': Auckland biosecurity lockdown to be in place for weeks
Are we paying too much for our food?

Why you're paying more for your veges
The Tasman region is coping with fire and drought.

Devastating blow for Nelson growers as water restrictions announced