Apples, pears and quinces market in New Zealand, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the New Zealand apple, pear and quince market entered a growth phase, with volume increasing from 130.3 thousand tons to 186.7 thousand tons by 2020. This initial expansion was underpinned by the entry of new investors like MyFarm, which began developing large-scale Rockit™ apple orchards, signaling a strategic shift toward high-value varieties. Concurrently, growers streamlined commercial orchard offerings by reducing the number of apple varieties, focusing production on more profitable segments in response to market trends.

Growth accelerated from 2021 onward, with market volume reaching 296.7 thousand tons in 2023. The industry's scale, with over 10,000 hectares of orchards and nearly 50 packhouses, provided a solid foundation. Sustainable production techniques and official assurance programs led by MPI enhanced export market access, supporting volume increases. Infrastructure development in Canterbury, including new post-harvest facilities, and the ongoing role of the Apple and Pear Marketing Board in stabilizing prices and market access further facilitated market expansion.

By 2023, productivity gains and increased investment in high-value varieties contributed to the industry approaching a $2 billion revenue impact. Innovation played a key role, as Prevar secured exclusive access to genetic material for developing new apple and pear varieties. External factors such as Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 affected nearly half the apple crop in Hawke's Bay, causing supply disruptions. The focus remained on high-value varieties and diversification of export markets, aligned with government goals to double export value within a decade.

Production apples, pears and quinces in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2018-2021

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2018-2021

New Zealand's production of apples, pears, and quinces has grown for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 593.3 thousand tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.5% from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 18.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of apples, pears, and quinces production in New Zealand has also increased for three consecutive years. In 2021, output was valued at 986.2 million US dollars, showing a significant rise of 14.8% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value grew by 37.2%, averaging an 11.1% annual increase.

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

Exports apples, pears and quinces from New Zealand

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, the volume of apples, pears, and quinces exported from New Zealand declined. In 2021, exports totaled 358.0 thousand tonnes, down 11.2% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 4.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 1.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 403.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% rise.

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

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The United Kingdom accounted for 10.5% of exports, China for 9.3%, and the United States for 8.5%, together making up only 28.3% of total flows.

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

The value of apples, pears, and quinces exports from New Zealand has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports were valued at 595.1 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, export value grew by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. China represented 13.6% of exports, Vietnam 9.0%, and the United States 8.2%, jointly accounting for 30.9% of total flows, while many other countries made up the remaining 69.1%.

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 apples, pears and quinces to New Zealand

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of increase, the volume of apples, pears, and quinces imported into New Zealand declined. In 2021, imports stood at 4.8 thousand tonnes, a 4.0% decrease from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 26.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%. The peak import volume was in 2020 at 5.0 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 19.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Australia and the United States were the core markets for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 80.6% of total flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

The value of apples, pears, and quinces imports into New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports were valued at 6.4 million US dollars, down 2.0% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 26.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 7.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline in 2020 at 6.3% and the largest increase in 2019 at 37.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Australia, the United States, and China stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms. Australia accounted for 56.3% of imports, the United States for 19.3%, and China for 14.9%, together representing 90.6% 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