Kiwifruit Grown in California; Relaxation in Pack Requirements

This final rule revises pack requirements for Size 42 and Size 45 kiwifruit under the Federal marketing order for kiwifruit grown in California. This rule increases the size variation tolerance for Size 42 kiwifruit from 5 percent, by count, to 10 percent, by count, and increases the size variation tolerance for Size 45 kiwifruit from 10 percent, by count, to 25 percent, by count. This relaxation was recommended by the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee (committee), the agency responsible for local administration of the marketing order. The committee expects this rule to reduce handler costs, increase grower returns, and allow the kiwifruit industry to meet the increased demand for lower priced kiwifruit.