We are running this piece on behalf of NZAPI. Summerfruit NZ will be coming to its growers about its commodity levy order in 2025.
New Zealand Apples and Pears (NZAPI) will be engaging with growers around the country in March as part of the consultative process for the renewal of the Commodity Levies (Apples and Pears) Order.
Every six years, NZAPI is required to renew its legal status as the levy collector for apples and pears in New Zealand. It was last renewed in 2018 and is therefore due for renewal in 2024. The commodity levy order sets the role of NZAPI and the maximum levy amount. All growers are required to pay the levy, which is primarily used by NZAPI to fund the support and services it provides as the industry body.
While the Commodity Levy Order is a piece of very important legislation for the industry, more importantly, it is what brings us together as an industry, formalising how we work together, and how we provide services and support to growers. Because of this, it is critically important that growers are part of the renewal process.
Meetings with growers will be held in early March to engage and consult on the Levy Order. Growers will then vote in a referendum in April, before the application is submitted to MPI in May.
Acknowledging this is a busy time of year for growers, NZAPI are combining their levy order consultation meetings with an update on the recent strategic review, and online meetings will also be held.
More information on the Commodity Levy Order is available on the NZAPI website
Meeting dates will be added soon, and regular updates on the process will be in their weekly email and on the website.