September 17th, 2024
The apple export market demonstrates resilience as the value of exports from the port of Napier remains steady at $61 million, a slight 2% increase from March 2022, despite a significant 17% decline in the quantity of apples exported, according to Statistics New Zealand.
The port of Napier accounts for 62% of New Zealand's apple exports by value, while the ports of Tauranga and Nelson contribute 15% and 14%, respectively. Apple season in New Zealand typically spans from February to October, with peak exports occurring between April and June. Historically, the average quantity of apples exported from the port of Napier in March months between 2018 and 2022 was 34 million kilograms.
International trade manager Al Allen commented on the resilience of apple export values, despite the fall in volume, saying, "Apple export values are holding up well for the season so far, despite a fall in volume."
Allen also noted the potential impact of the cyclones and weather events from early 2023 on apple exports as they move into their peak season.
China, Viet Nam, and Taiwan emerged as the top destinations for apple exports in March 2023, with values of $31 million, $15 million, and $8.8 million, respectively.
However, total exports from the port of Napier experienced a decline of $277 million (28%) in the first three months of 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by a $176 million (42%) drop in meat exports.
In contrast, kiwifruit exports showed a positive trend, with a 5.9% increase in value in March 2023 compared to March 2022. The majority of kiwifruit exports were gold kiwifruit and originated from the port of Tauranga, which accounted for 94% of exports in March 2023. Japan received more than half of the total kiwifruit exports during the same period.
The kiwifruit season typically runs from March to November. The growth in kiwifruit exports, particularly gold kiwifruit, indicates a promising outlook for this market segment.
Vegetable exports also experienced growth in March 2023. Onion exports were valued at $44 million, an 88% increase from March 2022, while the quantity rose by 25%. March is usually the peak month for the onion export season. Squash exports in March 2023 were valued at $19 million, a 22% increase from the previous year, despite a 17% decrease in quantity. Onion and squash export values combined made up 70% of total vegetable exports in March 2023.
As the port of Napier faces challenges in its export market, particularly in apple and meat exports, other sectors such as kiwifruit and vegetable exports have shown positive growth. The resilience of the apple export market, along with the growth in kiwifruit and vegetable exports, highlights the adaptability and strength of New Zealand's agricultural sector amidst challenging conditions.