Roadmap set to double hort exports by 2035
It's critical that the horticulture sector works together as part of a goal to double the sector’s exports by 2035.
Prime Minister John Key congratulated the horticulture industry for its great advancement in the last few years.
Last year the industry grew about 17% to reach $5 billion and it had the ambitious goal of getting to $10 billion by 2020, he told the Horticulture NZ conference in Nelson today, via a video message.
"That fits in with the government's role of wanting to double exports by 2025.
"There are a lot of great things happening in your sector, it is fantastic to see kiwifruit coming back from the terrible effects of Psa; good to see the significant investment in areas like apples."
He was in Motueka recently looking at the hops sector. "There is certainly a lot happening, and the government of course is working very hard to try and open up new markets. The Korea FTA was an important one from the tariffs perspective, TPP will certainly help, if we can get better access to Europe that's a big advantage and also the Gulf States."
He said he knew the horticulture sector was very focussed on research and development and science and technology – bringing the best techniques to both growing the fruit and making sure that it gets to market in the best possible condition.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
From 1 October, new livestock movement restrictions will be introduced in parts of Central Otago dealing with infected possums spreading bovine TB to livestock.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
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