Exports so far this season sit at 17.3 million tray carton equivalents, up 2 million on last year and 2.5 million on pre-cyclone levels.
Addressing NZ Apple and Pear Conference in Queenstown today, Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay noted that Royal Gala variety was in hot demand at 93% shipped.
He told 300 growers and stakeholders that their growth story speaks for itself.
Exports have risen from $347 million in 2012 to $1.1 billion by November last year. This year's Situation and Outlook forecasts apple and pear exports up 6% to $1.3 billion, within a record $64.3 billion for the primary sector.
“And the June year end is only part way through your season. There is more to come,” says McClay.
He praised the sector for doing this on slightly less land than they had in 2022.
Production is up 40,000 tonnes since then and forecast to be up 70,000 tonnes this year.
The sector has cut agrichemical use by 90% over a decade.
“That is exactly the kind of productivity growth New Zealand needs,” he says.
To help the apple sector and other agricultural exporters, the Government is new opportunities.
McClay says the global trade environment is uncertain and getting harder.
“My response as Trade Minister is simple. We open more doors, not fewer.
“That is why we have secured high-value agreements with India, the UAE and the GCC.
“We also brought the EU FTA into force many months early, so exporters could benefit from preferential access sooner. And we are not stopping there.”
Under National’s Next Billion Customers policy, they will begin negotiations with seven new markets: in South America, around India, in Africa, and in non-EU Europe. Discussions with Switzerland are already underway.
McClay noted that the India FTA is a once-in-a-generation deal with a market of 1.4 billion people.
“It eliminates or reduces tariffs on 95% of our exports. For apples, tariffs halve from 50% to 25% for 32,500 tonnes in year one, rising to 45,000 tonnes from year six.
“For pears, tariffs halve over ten years with no quota.”
He revealed that the India Apple Action Plan sits behind the deal, growing India's apple sector while securing NZ’s access.
