Treenuts market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The tree nuts market in New Zealand showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, with volume rising from 11 660 t to a peak of 13 418 t in 2021 before a contraction. The initial growth period aligned with the industry's development phase, characterized by established demand for macadamias, walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts, alongside existing harvest, processing, and marketing infrastructure. In 2019, the cooperative Walnuts New Zealand, operating its own processing plant under the Trickett’s Grove brand, represented organized activity in the walnut segment, though water availability remained a critical factor for nut size and yield.

Research highlighted in 2021 identified significant potential for industrial-scale edible nut crops in the Rotorua region, estimating potential annual revenue of at least NZD 20 million. This underscored the need for radical collaboration, innovation in business models, incentives, and risk reduction to develop the market. However, the hazelnut industry, for example, remained very small with only 430 hectares planted and had not yet demonstrated clear market success.

By 2022, challenges for certain nut varieties were apparent, as seen in the limited commercial production of pine nuts from stone pine trees due to high costs, the long time to bearing, and current prices, which hindered industry viability. Despite these constraints, areas like Marlborough with high solar radiation and good soils were noted as favorable for such crops. Market volume partially recovered to 12 229 t in 2023 following the previous year's decline.

Production treenuts in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2018-2021

World map of production of treenuts, 2018-2021

New Zealand's treenuts production in 2021 reached 700.0 t, showing only a slight variation from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 16.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 700.0 t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 16.7% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2020 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

New Zealand's treenuts production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 4 667 K $ US, marking a moderate year-over-year increase of 6.6%. From 2018 to 2021, production value decreased by 20.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 225 K $ US. The sharpest decline happened in 2019 with a 27.9% drop.

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

Exports treenuts from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

New Zealand's treenuts exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 96 t, representing a substantial 17.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 44.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 18.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 191 t. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 39.4% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 10.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Australia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands—collectively accounted for 73.9% of New Zealand's total treenuts exports by volume.

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, K $ US

New Zealand's treenuts export value declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, export value totaled 639 K $ US, down by 11.8% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 47.3%, with an average annual decline of 19.2%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, Australia (42.5% of export value), Fiji (22.6% of export value), and Singapore (7.2% of export value) were the primary destinations for New Zealand's treenuts exports by value, together representing 72.3% of total flows.

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 treenuts to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

New Zealand imported 12 814 t of treenuts in 2021, which is 7.7% higher than the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 4.4%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% rise.

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

In 2018–2021, three main sources—Vietnam, the United States, and Australia—together supplied 64.6% of New Zealand's total treenuts imports by volume.

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, K $ US

New Zealand's treenuts import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import value registered 65 289 K $ US, showing a slight 3.0% decrease compared to 2020. Over the period 2018-2021, imports decreased by 9.2%, with a CAGR of -3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 72 483 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020 with a 7.2% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 0.8%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources for treenuts imports to New Zealand by value were Vietnam (30.7% of import value), Australia (26.0% of import value), and the United States (23.2% of import value), which together accounted for 79.8% of total imports.

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

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