New Zealand apples

Revenue from New Zealand’s horticultural exports is expected to top NZ$4bn by 2016, according to an annual report published by the country’s Ministry of Primary Industries.

The report also forecast New Zealand’s total revenue from agricultural exports to climb to NZ$37.7bn in the 12 months to July 1 2014, a NZ$1.3bn improvement on previous estimates.

Nathan Guy, New Zealand’s Primary Industries Minister, said the long-term outlook for all agricultural sectors, including horticulture, was strong, with demand for the country’s products growing in markets such as China, Australia and the US.

“(Primary industry) exports are expected to increase by around 22 percent for the five years to 2018,” Guy said.