Kiwifruit was originally commercialised in New Zealand, where growers remain the most efficient and highest earning kiwifruit growers in the world.

The kiwifruit industry has been based on the production of a single variety of fruit, the Hayward kiwifruit. Years of research to develop new varieties is now showing its first successes; new varieties such as Zespri Gold, a gold-fleshed variety, are being established by growers.

Zespri Group Ltd (formerly the New Zealand Kiwifruit Marketing Board) is owned by kiwifruit growers and is responsible for marketing almost all the export kiwifruit from New Zealand.

Apple Production in NZ

On 30 September 2001 New Zealand deregulated apple and pear exports as requested by apple and pear growers. Currently anyone can export apples and pears, whereas previously ENZA Ltd, (formerly the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board) was responsible for marketing almost all the export pipfruit from New Zealand. Many new players have entered the apple export market since the deregulation of the export industry.

Apples represent 18 percent of New Zealand’s horticultural export earnings. The world apple industry is very competitive and New Zealand accounts for less than one percent of world apple production. Only one percent of world production is exported, and New Zealand accounts for about 5 percent of this. The world’s top apple producing countries are China, United States, Chile, Italy and Belgium. Chile together with South Africa (9th on the top 10 list), Argentina and Brazil are four of New Zealand’s biggest competitors: being in the southern hemisphere they produce apples at the same time of the year.

The New Zealand pipfruit industry has consistently succeeded in the face of worldwide competition because of its cultivation of new speciality varieties and because of the industry’s emphasis on providing a quality product. New Zealand has been able to lead the world with new varieties of apple such as Royal Gala, Braeburn, Pacific Series and SciFresh (JAZZ).

These make up 75 percent of the total New Zealand crop. New Zealand’s main competitors (Chile, South Africa, Argentina and Brazil) still produce large quantities of varieties such as Red Delicious, Granny Smith and Golden Delicious. However all four countries are now producing increasing quantities of New Zealand’s top two varieties, Royal Gala and Braeburn. New Zealand’s competitiveness is reflected in its market returns. In the major markets of Europe, Asia and North America, New Zealand’s share of returns is significantly greater than its market share by volume.

The apple industry is a major employer employing about 10 700 people in total. The main apple producing areas in New Zealand are Hawkes Bay in the North Island and Nelson in the South Island.

The NZ Vegetable Industry

The fresh vegetable industry is characterised by small owner-operated enterprises, although 80 percent of tomatoes and potatoes – large area crops – is produced by 20 percent of the growers. Domestic consumption accounts for a high proportion of vegetable production. Increasing fresh vegetable exports are potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, asparagus and baby carrots. The main processed exports are frozen peas, corn, and mixed vegetables, tomato products, frozen potatoes and dried peas.

Vegetable production is a large seasonal employer. Around 22 500 people are employed in the New Zealand vegetable industry during peak times.

Small Sector Crops

These fruit include avocados, berryfruit, summerfruit (stonefruit), European pears, persimmons, citrus, strawberries and blueberries. Avocado and cherry exports are increasing rapidly. Other products exported in this category include dried fruit and peels, frozen berries, jams and jellies, and canned fruit.

The NZ Wine Industry

New Zealand wines have risen rapidly in quality and consumer acceptance during the last decade and are now acclaimed internationally as world-class, intensely flavoured wines. New Zealand is now home to over 400 wineries and this number is likely to continue to grow, as investment in new vineyards is still increasing. Although export figures show impressive growth, the New Zealand wine industry is small in world terms, producing just 1 percent of world wine exports. New Zealand has, however, carved out an assured niche in the world market, meeting a demand for high-quality wines from a unique grape-growing environment. This niche has enabled New Zealand wines to be positioned in the high-price market segment.

The New Zealand wine industry is based on six main varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.

The industry is continuing to expand, with the area of planted vines more than doubling in the last 10 years. New Zealand now has over 15 000 hectares of producing vineyards. The rapid growth in vineyard investment has been encouraged by steadily increasing nominal export prices over the past decade.