With roughly 4% of the nation’s apple and pear plantings, the industry employs more than 100 people and makes up 26% of the region’s horticultural GDP contribution.
The "Economic contribution of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Industry 2024" report was conducted by consultancy firm MartinJenkins to reveal the economic contribution of the industry to national and regional economies.
It found that New Zealand’s apple and pear industry contributed almost $2billion of total revenue impact to the national economy in 2023 and had grown its export value from $347m in 2012 to more than $892m in 2023, largely due to increased productivity and high-value varieties.
The report also revealed that recent industry investments in research and development were bearing fruit: innovation in growing systems and post-harvest processes having already increased productivity.
New Zealand Apple and Pears chief executive Karen Morrish said in a statement the economic snapshot would provide a valuable snapshot as the industry targets growth.
"Our industry is a tier-one horticulture sector that makes up a 20% of the national GDP contribution from horticulture, and what’s more, we have room to grow," she said.
New Zealand Apples and Pears is the apples and pears industry body
"The growth in our export value has come from increased productivity, investment in high-value varieties as well as the diversification of international markets, which means our sector is well placed to further align with the government’s desire to double export value in 10 years.
"We hope this new report will further encourage both local and central governments to recognise the value of the industry and work with us to ensure there is an operating environment that is conducive to growth.
"With the right settings, the valuable role of our industry can be secured, and we can continue to produce the world’s best-quality fruit right here in New Zealand." — APL
