According to the latest figures published annually by Plant and Food Research, New Zealand’s horticulture industry is valued at $ 9.2 billion, $ 400 million more than in 2017, and should reach $ 10 billion by 2020.
Horticultural exports from US $ 1.7 billion tripled in 1999 and currently account for almost 10 percent of New Zealand’s total exports.
The main success factors for horticulture in the country were kiwi and wine: more than a third (34 percent) of export earnings came from kiwi (the current 1.86 billion US dollars compared to 1.66 billion dollars in 2017).
Plant & Food Research Executive Director Plant & Food Research David Hughes said 53 countries have imported cultic fruits from the country. The Golden Kiwi variety proved to be especially popular in key export markets, accounting for about 40 percent of the crop.
Hughes also said that 20 years ago there were less than 5,000 hectares of vineyards in New Zealand, and "Currently, exports from 35,000 hectares of vineyards bring in more than $ 1.6 billion."
New Zealand fruit and vegetable products were exported to 128 countries, including the five largest markets in continental Europe, Australia, the USA, China, and Japan, which together account for about $ 3.7 billion and 68 percent of total exports.
