Zero Tariff Squeezes NZ Citrus Growers, Forum Hears
New Zealand's citrus growers have been told to compete on the value built into their fruit rather than the volume they grow.
HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says the changes would help secure New Zealand’s food production future and grow export value.
She says growers need practical, durable settings that have broad political support and give the certainty needed for long-term investment.
A Major Export Earner
“Horticulture is already a major export earner,” Scott says.
The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries forecasts horticulture export revenue of $9.2 billion for the year to 30 June 2026.
Through the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan, the sector’s shared growth framework, industry, government, Māori and science partners have set an ambition to double farmgate revenue by 2035.
Scott says meeting that ambition requires investment in productive land, water, energy, people and infrastructure.
“Growers will invest when policy settings are stable, nationally consistent and reduce unnecessary regulatory cost and duplication.”
National Standards A Priority
Scott says national standards for vegetable growing, on-farm water storage and irrigation, solar and energy storage, seasonal-worker accommodation and farm plans would address material barriers to investment and production. She says the measures align with HortNZ’s priorities of sustainable and enduring water security, less red tape and duplication, and investment in critical infrastructure.
- Vegetable growing: Clear, consistent rules would strengthen domestic food production and unlock investment in productive land.
- Water: Better pathways for water storage and efficient irrigation would build resilience to drought and climate variability.
- Energy: Proportionate rules for on-farm solar and battery storage would lower costs and improve energy security.
- Accommodation: Practical settings would help growers house seasonal workers safely at peak production and harvest times.
- Farm plans: Risk-based, proportionate plans that recognise trusted industry assurance programmes would let growers focus on outcomes rather than repeating the same information for different agencies.
Safeguards and Coordination
“Nationally consistent standards must lower avoidable cost and uncertainty while maintaining clear safeguards and strong environmental outcomes,” Scott says. “They must be developed with growers and coordinated across central and local government.”
Biosecurity and Plant Breeding
HortNZ also welcomes stronger biosecurity at the border and wants the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Amendment Bill passed.
“Strong border protections are essential to safeguarding growers, productive land and market access from costly pest and disease incursions,” Scott says.
She also describes reform of the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 as positive for horticulture.
“A modern intellectual property framework will support plant breeding and help drive innovation, investment and long-term productivity across the sector.”
A Call for Cross-Party Support
HortNZ is asking all political parties to support enduring policy settings that protect productive land, secure reliable water, enable critical infrastructure and support investment in healthy food for domestic and export markets.
“This opportunity is bigger than any single policy, party or parliamentary term,” Scott says. “An enduring framework for food production, environmental performance and regional prosperity will help New Zealand realise horticulture’s full economic potential.”
