Kiwifruit industry in New Zealand Department of Conservation, responsible for protecting public land, classify "Actinidia deliciosa" as an environmental weed. Kiwifruit industry in New Zealand Kiwifruit or kiwi is a major horticultural export earner for New Zealand. New Zealand developed the first commercially viable kiwifruit and developed export markets, creating the demand for the fruit that exists today. Today New Zealand is the third largest kiwifruit producing country, next to China and Italy, and holds approximately 30% of the market share. In the 2008-2009 season the value of New Zealand kiwifruit exports was NZ$1.45 billion. Cultivation of the fuzzy kiwifruit spread from China in the
Kiwifruit cultivar of golden kiwifruit, 'Gold3', has been found to be more disease-resistant and most growers have now changed to this cultivar. 'Gold3', marketed by Zespri as is not quite as sweet as the previous 'Hort16A', with a hint of tanginess, and lacks the usually slightly pointed tip of 'Hort16A'. Kiwifruit can be grown in most temperate climates with adequate summer heat. Where fuzzy kiwifruit ("A. deliciosa") is not hardy, other species can be grown as substitutes. Often in commercial farming, different breeds are used for rootstock, fruit bearing plants and pollinators. Therefore, the seeds produced are crossbreeds of their parents.