Basic Research on the Production and Sale of Agricultural Products under the "Club System"

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The Pink Lady System、 which originated in Australia, has pioneered a new approach to the introduction of new apple varieties. In addition to plant variety holder rights (PVR), new varieties are being trademarked, with the rights of PVR and trademark holders protected by a “club” to which these rights holders belong. One of the major goals of such a club is to maintain premium prices. In Japan, something similar to a “club” has been introduced by the Hirosaki Wholesale Produce Market, Ltd (Hiroka). Hiroka has obtained exclusive control over a number of new varieties and has issued permission to a limited number of growers to produce them. Although a worldwide era of variety “management” can be said to have arrived, it remains to be seen how the Japanese apple industry will respond.