New Zealand’s apple growing regions are set to profit from a record $700 million export apple crop forecast for 2016, compared with last season’s bumper $630 million. Alan Pollard, chief executive of Pipfruit New Zealand said the industry is expecting to produce 19.5 million export cartons for 2016 which is up 5.5% on last year.
"It’s great news for our apple growing regions, injecting millions directly back into the local economies of Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and Central Otago, Gisborne, Waikato, Wairarapa and South Canterbury.
"We are seeing increased business for the horticultural service sector and greater economic activity and development in packhouses, cool storage, transport logistics and freight," he said.
"2016 is likely to be the third back to back record export season for apples, and firmly cements New Zealand’s apple industry’s No 1 ranking in the world for international competiveness.
"We are now well on track to achieving our $1billion export earnings goal earlier than our 2022 target," Mr Pollard said.
Pipfruit New Zealand chairman Nadine Tunley said "It’s an industry-wide effort and its fantastic to see a new level of enthusiasm which is attracting younger people wanting to work and study and build careers in horticulture which is critical for our future."
The industry has moved to a more consolidated, vertically integrated structure, has continued to improve quality standards to produce superior fruit, advanced changes in orchard design and best practice management techniques, along with developing new "club" varieties with trademarked intellectual property and eating qualities preferred by Asian markets.
The forecast $700 million in export apple returns this year compares to $341 million in 2012 - an increase of 105% in only four years.
