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Prices are forecast to remain high for most products.
Horticulture was once again the star in export revenue growth terms in the primary sector.
Horticulture jumped 13.7% in the year ended June 2019 to $6.1 billion, according to MPI’s Situation and Outlook September update.
But dairy was the biggest in monetary terms, growing 8.7% to $18.1b – a $1.47b increase.
Overall primary exports were also up 8.7% to $46.4b to the year ending June 2017 but are expected to drop 0.5% in the current year to $46.2b.
Prices are forecast to remain high for most products, but lower export volumes are forecast in most sectors, says the report.
Horticulture export revenue is forecast to grow 3.8% to $6.3b in the year ended June 2020, with slightly lower yields in the main crops contributing to lower growth this year.
New Zealand apple exports to China in the first half of 2019 were double that for the same period last year.
Apple and pear export revenue for the calendar year 2019 is expected to exceed $800 million due to increases in both export volumes and prices.
Strong demand from Asian markets, in particular China, has helped offset weaker demand in Europe, the latter attributable to large domestic stocks from the 2018 harvest.
Export prices have dropped for apple varieties mainly sold in Europe, such as Braeburn.
Higher kiwifruit prices bring the forecast revenue up 4.5% to $2.53b for the kiwifruit season ending March 2020, despite production volumes for 2019-20 being on par to slightly below last season.
The recent harvest notably saw gold kiwifruit production volume overtake green for the first time, with some green kiwifruit areas being replaced by new gold licence releases.
The early start to the gold kiwifruit harvest saw March and April break records for export volume and revenue. Kiwifruit export prices have held through June and are expected to remain strong throughout the export season.
A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.
There is an appeal to New Zealanders to buy local citrus fruit.
Avocado growers are reporting a successful season, but some are struggling to keep their operations afloat following years of bad weather.
Horticulture and commercial vegetable growers in particular stand to be major beneficiaries of radical proposals by government to make sweeping changes to RMA regulations.
Lydia Goodman has been crowned the Central Otago 2025 Young Grower of the Year regional winner.
A landmark New Zealand trial has confirmed what many farmers have long suspected - that strategic spring nitrogen use not only boosts pasture growth but delivers measurable gains in lamb growth and ewe condition.
It was recently announced that former MP and Southland farmer Eric Roy has stepped down of New Zealand Pork after seven years. Leo Argent talks with Eric about his time at the organisation and what the future may hold.
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
RaboResearch, the research arm of specialist agriculture industry banker Rabobank, sees positives for the Alliance Group in its proposed majority-stake sale to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
The ACT Party's call for a better deal on the Paris Agreement on climate change is being backed by farmer organisations.
A 50% tariff slapped by the US on goods from India last month has opened an opportunity for New Zealand wool carpets exports to North America.
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