increase font size
New Zealand's horticultural production has exceeded $7 billion for the first time, according to the latest edition of the annual industry statistics publication Fresh Facts.
In the year to June 2014, produce from New Zealand's horticultural industries was calculated to reach $7.16 billion, with exports of close to $4 billion. Wine is the largest horticultural export, valued at $1.3 billion, with kiwifruit the largest fresh fruit export, valued at $930 million. Apple exports exceeded $500 million for the first time, with more than 20% (by weight) being New Zealand-bred cultivars such as Jazz and Envy brand.
In addition to the success of New Zealand's crops, record numbers are now being trained in horticultural fields - with the Primary Industries Training Organisation reporting a 58% increase in trainees to 7,449 in 2014 - and investment in horticulture, both on and off-farm, calculated to be in excess of $36.5 billion.
"New Zealand's horticultural land is highly productive, with the value of horticultural exports equating to more than three times the comparative return achieved by dairy merchandise exports," says Peter Silcock, chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand. "The horticulture industry focuses on efficiency and providing products for high value markets, such as Asia. We are confident that the success of the industry will continue and that we will reach our target of $10 billion of production by 2020."
Peter Landon-Lane, chief executive of Plant & Food Research, says New Zealand's success continues to be the result of hard work and a keen understanding of our markets.
"Science and innovation are employed throughout the value chain, allowing our sectors to deliver produce that commands a premium, meets increasingly stringent phytosanitary and sustainability requirements, and offers safe, convenient, high quality food for discerning consumers."
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has released its 2026 election manifesto, outlining priorities to support the sector’s growth, resilience, and contribution to New Zealand’s food security and export revenue.
The 2026 New Zealand Horticulture Conference is set to see more than 900 growers, employers, service providers and industry stakeholders gather in Wellington in July.
Trainees in the horticulture industry studying towards a certificate or diploma can now apply for Horticulture New Zealand's (HortNZ) 2026 Industry Training Scholarships programme.
A Hawke's Bay apple orchardist supports the Government's objective of doubling exports but says this won't happen in the horticulture sector unless there's a change in the process for bringing new plant material into the country.
Fruit growers and exporters are worried following the discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland this week.
Irish Minister of State of Agriculture, Noel Grealish was in New Zealand recently for an official visit.
While not all sibling rivalries come to blows, one headline event at the recent New Zealand Rural Games held in Palmerston North certainly did, when reigning World Champion Jack Jordan was denied the opportunity of defending his world title in Europe later this year, after being beaten by his big brother’s superior axle blows, at the Stihl Timbersports Nationals.
AgriZeroNZ has invested $5.1 million in Australian company Rumin8 to accelerate development of its methane-reducing products for cattle and bring them to New Zealand.
Farmers want more direct, accurate information about both fuel and fertiliser supply.
A bull on a freight plane sounds like the start of a joke, but for Ian Bryant, it is a fond memory of days gone by.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced changes to the ministerial lineup, including a new Minister for the Environment and a new Associate Agriculture Minister.
