Further testing has proved kiwifruit growers’ worst fears – PSA-v has now been confirmed in a green kiwifruit orchard in Waihi.

The orchard was first suspected of being infected two weeks ago and growers were called to a meeting in Waihi on September 16.  

Kiwifruit Vine Health says it has now established another priority zone around the orchard in Waihi and has already destroyed the infected vines.

Officials say it is possible the disease was spread to the orchard in Waihi from Te Puke by contractors.

According to the latest Kiwifruit Vine Health figures, 31% of the kiwifruit industry in Te Puke is now infected with PSA-v.

But, 66% of the more valuable gold variety orchards in Te Puke are infected.

In the last six weeks alone, the area of kiwifruit confirmed infected with PSA-V has tripled and now nine percent of the entire New Zealand kiwifruit industry, or 295 orchards, are infected with PSA-v. 

As Spring arrives and the vines come into flower, more orchards are showing symptoms of the bacteria – 33 more were confirmed with PSA-v in the last week alone.