Government policies threaten NZ’s 2030 export goals, farmers warn
The Government is being warned that some recent bad policy decisions are undermining its target of doubling exports by 2030.
According to new figures from Stats NZ, kiwifruit exports were valued at $3.1 billion in the year ended August 2024.
This marks a 20% ($524 million) increase on the same period in 2023.
Stats NZ international trade manager Viki Ward says kiwifruit export values for the season so far are the highest they have ever been.
“The kiwifruit export season is typically from March to November,” Ward says.
Gold kiwifruit exports were $2.4 billion, up $457 million (24%) from the year ended August 2023, driven largely by an increase in quality (up 23%).
Green kiwifruit were valued at $737 million, up $67 million (9.9%) over the same period an increase driven by a price increase (up 9%).
Typically, gold kiwifruit have a higher unit price than green.
“Growers in New Zealand are increasingly planting gold, and now red, kiwifruit, to capture greater export value in markets like China and Japan,” Ward says.
The top destination for gold kiwifruit is China, while the top destination for green is the European Union.
Craighead Diocesan, Darfield High School and Christchurch Boys' High School took out the three age groups at the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges, which was held at the recent Ashburton A&P Show.
The New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) is expanding its collaboration with TextileGenesis to deliver full traceability for 100% of ZQ certified wool and ZQRX regenerative wool.
According to Federated Farmers, Environment Southland has mishandled the consent process for Waituna Lagoon, leaving the community with numerous bad outcomes.
Metallica's charitable foundation, All Within My Hands (AWMH), teamed up with Meet the Need this week for a food packing event held at the New Zealand Food Network warehouse in Auckland.
After two years, Alliance Group has returned to profit.
According to Zespri's November forecast for the 2025/26 season, returns are likely to be up for all fruit groups compared to the last forecast in August.

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