New Zealand's Plant & Food Research has announced NZ$4.35 million (US$3.43 million) in funding to support the pipfruit industry in opening doors for apple exports to Asia. 

The Apple Futures II programme will support the development of new tools to control pests and diseases in orchards, along with systems to remove insects during postharvest.

The program is intended to build on a relationship spanning more than 20 years between the pipfruit sector and government-owned Plant & Food Research in developing integrated pest management programmes and securing access to key markets for the country's exporters.

"Access to new high-value markets is a priority for New Zealand's pipfruit sector if we are to realise our goal of NZ$1 billion (US$790 million) of exports by 2022," Pipfruit New Zealand CEO Alan Pollard said in a release.

"There are increasingly stringent phytosanitary requirements in these markets, as well as a growing desire by consumers for reduced pesticide use.

"This funding will allow us to develop new tools and technologies that ensure we can deliver shipments that are free from pests and diseases and with no chemical residues on fruit, maintaining New Zealand's reputation as a supplier of premium produce."

Plant & Food Research COO Bruce Campbell added that by understanding the conditions under which diseases developed, when pests posed greater risk and what role the environment played, the organization had been able to put systems in place allowing growers to deliver fruit that met the 'most stringent requirements'.

New Zealand's pipfruit industry currently generates approximately NZ$500 million (US$395 million) per year in exports, with about a third coming from Asian markets.

It is estimated that by 2022, the growing Asian market will generate close to NZ$500 million annually on its own, representing around 50% of New Zealand's pipfruit exports.

Apple Futures II programme was funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment and leveraged by pipfruit industry investment.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key also recently announced the completion of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with South Korea.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com