Cherries, avocados, kiwifruit, apples and wine were some of the star categories that contributed to a 9.5% surge in horticultural exports to NZ$4.3 billion for New Zealand last year.

The latest annual edition of 'Fresh Facts', put together by Plant & Food Research and Horticulture New Zealand, claimed productivity, new cultivars, strong branding and marketing all helped the country's fresh produce capture premiums in global markets.

The booklet claimed a growing understanding of global consumers was also adding value to exports, with new cultivars and wine styles capitalizing on international market trends.

The year marked a major milestone in the kiwifruit industry’s fight against Psa disease, with exports back to pre-Psa values, increasing by NZ$251 million (27%) to NZ$1.2 billion.

Meanwhile, after surpassing NZ$500 million for the first time last year, apple exports grew by 5% to reach NZ$525 million, with the sector confident it will achieve an export target of NZ$1 billion by 2020.

New Zealand's cherry growers also had a record season with the highest sales ever in Asian markets including Taiwan, China and South Korea - exports jumped 87% to reach NZ$24 million, combined with a record domestic sales volume as well.

In avocados, shipment values rose 32% to hit the NZ$115 million mark.

"New Zealand’s horticultural industries have overcome some challenges in recent years, the most notable of these is the kiwifruit bacterial disease Psa," says Plant & Food Research COO Dr. Bruce Campbell.

“It’s very pleasing to see the strong growth in Kiwifruit exports shown in the data, but also great to see strong growth coming from sectors like Cherries and Avocados.

“New Zealand’s success as a fresh produce exporter continues to be the result of hard work and clever thinking. Our growers are smart and industrious, and our science and innovation is world leading.

“It’s important we continue to develop our understanding about consumer preferences in our key global markets. There are opportunities to further enhance the premium price that New Zealand produce earns around the world, but only by delivering to consumers exactly what they want.”

The value of New Zealand’s horticultural outputs exceeded NZ$7.5 billion for the first time, with the value of domestic horticultural products calculated to exceed NZ$3.24 billion.

Market performance

Fresh Facts also provided the following run-down by market:

Asia: $1.434 billion: increased $260m (+22%); apples +$40m, cherries +$23m and squash +$14m. Onion exports down $7m (18%)

Australia: $826m: down $46m (-5%); avocados +$10m, kiwifruit +$8m, blueberries +$6m; wine down $30m.

North America: $642m: increased $53m (+9%); wine +$60m, kiwifruit +$12m; apples down $14m

Continental Europe $632m: increased $32m; kiwifruit +$44m; wine +$13m; apple down $23m (17%)

United Kingdom & Ireland: $525m: increased $107m (+25%); wine and apples both increased by $36m.

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