New Zealand horticulture exports, including wine, grew 9.5 per cent to NZ$4.3bn in 2015 compared to the year prior, according to the latest ‘Fresh Facts’ report published by Plant & Food Research and Horticulture New Zealand.
Kiwifruit, apples and cherries were the shining fruit stars of the year, with strong branding, marketing and productivity seeing exports to Asia, Europe and North America grow.
New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry bounced back from the effects of the Psa disease, increasing its exports in 2015 by NZ$251m to reach NZ$1.2bn, with strong growth forecast in coming years.
Apple exports had another record year, growing NZ$25m to NZ$562m, and are on track to reach the industry’s target of NZ$1bn in apple exports by 2020.
Record sales of New Zealand cherries in China, Taiwan and South Korea saw exports rise from NZ$28m to NZ$52.2m in the 2014/15 season.
“New Zealand’s horticultural industries have overcome some challenges in recent years, the most notable of these is the kiwifruit bacterial disease Ps,.” Plant & Food Research COO Bruce Campbell said in a company statement. “It’s very pleasing to see the strong growth in kiwifruit exports shown in the data, but also great to see strong growth coming from sectors like cherries and avocados.”
Exports to Asia grew 22 per cent to NZ$1.43bn with growth in apples, cherries and squash, while exports to North American grew 9 per cent to NZ$642m, driven by wine and kiwifruit.
Exports to Australia dropped 5 per cent to NZ$826m, though 2015 saw exports of New Zealand avocados, kiwifruit and blueberries all grow.
“New Zealand’s success as a fresh produce exporter continues to be the result of hard work and clever thinking. Our growers are smart and industrious, and our science and innovation is world leading,” Campbell said.
“It’s important we continue to develop our understanding about consumer preferences in our key global markets. There are opportunities to further enhance the premium price that New Zealand produce earns around the world, but only by delivering to consumers exactly what they want.”
