New Zealand’s horticulture sector continues to grow in spite of recent biological and economic challenges according to the latest edition of ‘Fresh Facts’, the annual facts and figure booklet for horticulture data published by Plant & Food Research and Horticulture New Zealand.
In the year to June 2012 total exports rose 5.5 percent in FOB value over 2011 figures to more than $3.6 billion. Horticulture now accounts for 7.8 percent of New Zealand’s merchandise exports, with the country’s largest export destination Asia, with around a third of our total value from horticultural exports to that region. Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea each receive more than $100 million of our horticultural exports each year, particularly fresh fruit.
“New Zealand’s horticultural industries have faced many challenges in the past years, the most notable were those of the kiwifruit bacterial disease Psa and the tomato-potato psyllid. In both cases, coordinated responses across the industry, including growers, government and research, has allowed us to begin to combat these incursions, with the introduction of improved management practices and focusing our breeding programmes on resistant cultivars,” says Plant & Food Research chief executive Peter Landon-Lane.
“There is still a long road ahead, but I feel certain that the industry as a whole is rising to meet the challenge and is confident for the future ahead. The success of our horticultural industry relies on the skills and dedication of people throughout the value chain. Plant & Food Research is pleased to play a role, providing research that demonstrates positive impact for this important sector.”
Key facts
- Total horticulture merchandise exports in 2012 were more than $3.6 billion, an increase in FOB value by 5.5 percent ($190.5m) over 2011. Horticulture is now 7.8 percent of New Zealand’s total merchandise exports
- Wine exports continue to increase and at $1.17 billion were 40.2 percent of New Zealand’s fresh and processed fruit exports in 2012
- New Zealand fresh fruit exports increased by 7.1 percent ($103.1m) over 2011 with most of the increase being kiwifruit $83.1m (+8.6 percent) and avocado $45.6m (+88.9 percent)
- Total value of fresh vegetables exports was $213.3m, a decrease of $56.9m (-21.1 percent) compared to 2011. Onion exports reduced to $62.1m, $48.4m (-43.6 percent) less than in 2011
- Frozen vegetable exports increased $27.9m (13.0 percent) over 2011 to $242.2m, including frozen potatoes $86.9m, frozen peas $57.7m and frozen mixed vegetables $47.5m
- Vegetable seed exports continue to increase with the 2012 export value of $62.5m being $6.6m (11.8 percent) above 2011. The largest vegetable seed export products were radish $22.0m (+14.8 percent) and carrot $17.8m (+11.1 percent)
- Natural honey exports of $121.1m, an increase of $19.5m (19.2 percent) on 2011, double 2008 and close to three times 2005 export value. Bees and their pollination are an integral part of New Zealand’s horticulture
- Exports of horticultural machinery and components, primarily for cleaning, sorting and grading fresh and dried fruit and vegetables were valued at $78.6 million in 2012, $23.3m (42.2 percent) above 2011
