WELLINGTON: The value of New Zealand’s horticultural exports jumped 19% year-on-year in 2016 to a record NZ$5.1 billion (US$3.6 billion), with kiwifruit representing a third of that figure.
According to the new issue of industry publication Fresh Facts, key exports included NZ$1.7 billion of kiwifruit, NZ$1.6 billion of wine, primarily Marlborough Sauvignon blanc, and NZ$690 million of apples
The total New Zealand horticulture industry is worth NZ$8.7 billion a year.
The report, published by Plant & Food New Zealand, showed that since 2010, the value of exports from horticulture has increased by more than 50%.
“It’s exciting to see the horticulture industry is on track to meet its goal of $10 billion by 2020,” Horticulture New Zealand CEO Mike Chapman said.
“Our keen understanding of the global consumer and the commitment to quality at every stage of the value chain means our produce commands a premium in the marketplace, and this is reflected in the outstanding growth of the industry.”
Fresh fruit made up nearly half of the country’s total 2016 horticultural export value, with NZ$2.6 billion.
Following kiwifruit and apples, avocados were the most significant export, with shipments totaling NZ$83 million. This was closely followed by summerfruit like cherries and apricots.
The kiwifruit export figure represents a 42% increase on 2015 and a 65% lift on the five-year average.
In 2015, kiwifruit was exported to more than 50 countries and of the NZ$1.1 billion that went to Asian countries, three Asian countries imported more than NZ$100m: Japan NZ$390m (2015: NZ$275m); China NZ$373m ($200m), Taiwan NZ$154m ($101m).
Kiwifruit to the value of NZ$435m (US$352m) went to European countries, of which NZ$108m was shipped to Spain (US$88m).
New Zealand also exported NZ$259 million of fresh vegetables in 2016.
