Apple market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The New Zealand apple market volume expanded from 111 thousand tons in 2018 to 167 thousand tons in 2020, with a sharp increase in 2019. This growth was supported by the establishment of large-scale orchards such as the Rockit™ apple garden by Rockit Global Ltd, which operated under an exclusive licensing model similar to Zespri, boosting production capacity. The ideal growing conditions in Hawke’s Bay, particularly the Heretaunga Plains, further underpinned high-quality output.

Between 2021 and 2023, market volume continued to rise, reaching 277 thousand tons. A key driver was the decline in exports, which fell from 400 thousand tons in 2020 to 309 thousand tons in 2023, partly due to increasing competition in the European market from other Southern Hemisphere apple suppliers. Concurrently, advancements in storage technology extended shelf life, aiding supply chain efficiency. On the demand side, consumption trends shifted towards foods with cognitive and immune health benefits, fueling fresh apple demand among Millennials and Generation Z.

Industry consolidation for economies of scale, especially in land-constrained regions like Marlborough, and official assurance programs led by the Ministry for Primary Industries to meet international biosecurity standards also shaped the market. Changing consumer preferences towards fresh produce with origin stories and sustainability further supported domestic consumption growth during the period.

Production apple in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand ranked 26th globally in apple production.

Top producers of apple, 2018-2021

World map of production of apple, 2018-2021

New Zealand's apple production volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 575.1 K t of apples, which is 1.5% higher than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Apple production in New Zealand increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the output of apples was valued at 954.0 M $ US, representing a 15.0% year-on-year rise. Between 2018 and 2021, production increased by 38.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports apple from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, New Zealand's cross-border shipments of apples declined. In 2021, the country exported 355.8 K t of apples, which is 11.1% lower than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 3.7%, with an annualized rate of -1.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 400.4 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand's apple exports were distributed across a broad portfolio of buyers. The United Kingdom (10.6% of exports in kind), China (9.3%), and the United States (8.4%) together accounted for only 28.2% of total exports in kind, with many other countries holding smaller but significant shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Apple exports from New Zealand increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 590.2 M $ US, reflecting a slight advance of 0.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 11.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, apples from New Zealand were supplied to a diverse set of markets. China (13.6% of exports in value terms), Vietnam (9.2%), and the United Kingdom (8.2%) together accounted for only 31.0% of total exports in value terms, with many smaller destinations making up the remaining 69.0%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports apple to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.9-fold difference between these years. In 2021, New Zealand imported 0.4 K t of apples, indicating a dramatic decrease of 45.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2020 at 0.6 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 276.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the United States and Poland formed the core group of markets for apple imports in kind, jointly accounting for 78.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their trough in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.3-fold change between these years. In 2021, New Zealand's apple import volume reached 0.6 M $ US, amounting to an intense decrease of 43.5% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1.7 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 432.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Poland consistently accounted for the largest part of apple imports in value terms to New Zealand, representing 63.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021