Record year for NZ fruit exports

New Zealand fruit exports reached an all-time high of NZ$2 billion in the year ended June 2015.

The value of fruit exported increased by 20% (NZ$330 million) compared with 2013/14, with the rise attributed to higher prices and a 9% increase in export quantities.

Statistics New Zealand’s international statistics manager Jason Attewell said the country had achieved record monthly fruit exports in April, May and June 2015, with May recording the highest-ever value of fruit exports for a month (NZ$445 million).

Kiwifruit and apples led the monthly increases; exports in May 2015 were the highest value recorded for both kiwifruit (NZ$280 million) and apples (NZ$157 million). These increases occurred despite a 5.3% fall in the canopy area of kiwifruit and a 4.8% fall in the area planted in apples, between 2012 and 2014.

Kiwifruit (59%), apples (28%) and avocados (5.7%) made up 92% of the value of total fruit exports for the June 2015 year. Over a quarter (27%) of New Zealand fruit exports went to the European Union. Japan (14%) and China (13%) were the other top destinations in 2014/15.