12 Mar 2010 8:53 a.m.
A kiwifruit organisation has rejected claims "picking jobs" have led to a drop in beneficiary numbers.
Ministry of Social Development figures reveal the number of beneficiaries has dropped 11 per cent in February.
A Bay of Plenty economic agency claims this is because of the kiwifruit industry.
But Labour Governance Bay of Plenty Chairman Mike Chapman doubts that's the case.
He says they are however, employing as many kiwis as possible.