As new harvest gets underway, industry estimates suggest exports will be up 10 per cent to 21mn cartons
New Zealand’s apple and pear returns continued their recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle and topped NZ$1bn (€525.4mn) for the first time in 2024, according to new data released today.
According to industry association NZ Apples & Pears (NZAPI), the business also made a combined economic contribution of NZ$2.5bn (€1.31bn) to the country’s economy during that period – up 27 per cent on the equivalent figure for 2023.
And the upward sales trajectory is expected to continue as the country’s new harvest gets underway, with confidence high there will be plenty of high-value, premium-quality fruit available.
Following a good winter and spring, estimates point to 10 per cent increase in exports from 19.1mn tray-carton equivalents, to a potential 21.0mn TCE in 2025.
NZAPI chief executive Karen Morrish said this season would see a return to form after several challenging years, and a continued move towards higher-value varieties.
“New Zealand apples and pears are renown as a premium product. While New Zealand is not the biggest supplier of apples in the world, we punch well above our weight globally,” she commented.
“Our growers take pride in producing fruit that is healthy, clean and sustainable, and this year’s crop is exactly that.”
Demand in the industry’s key export markets was strong, she added, with consumers consistently returning for New Zealand fruit.
“We take immense pride in the economic impact that our industry contributes to New Zealand and the regions we live and work in and our economic impact statistics highlight the value of the industry’s work.
“With little change in planted area, increasing costs and yet a growth in our economic contribution, we can be confident that this has come from increased productivity, investment in high-value IP varieties and a diversification of international markets.
“Our industry is pulling sustainable levers to grow our contribution and NZAPI wants to ensure a healthy operating environment that is conducive to prosperity remains.”
