New Zealand is set to grow its largest ever export apple crop of 21.5 million cartons worth a record $800 million, the industry’s leader announced today.
Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard said the success of New Zealand’s apple industry is breaking records and supporting growing regions.
“We are the first of New Zealand’s larger primary sectors to meet the Government’s challenge of doubling exports by 2025, and are well ahead of our own target of becoming a billion dollar industry by 2022.”
In four years, New Zealand’s apple industry has gone from producing 16 million cartons in 2012 to 19.5 million cartons in 2016 and an expected 21.5 million cartons in 2017.
“New Zealand grows the best and safest apples in the world and we have been ranked No 1 for international competitiveness against all our global market competitors two years running.”
The apple industry’s success is resulting in significant economic and social benefits in the growing regions of Nelson, Hawke’s Bay, Central Otago, Gisborne, Waikato, Wairarapa and South Canterbury.
“Our apple industry is having a huge impact in our growing regions. We are creating hundreds of new permanent and part-time jobs for Kiwis, and injecting millions into the local economies stimulating stronger growth and more business opportunities.”
