Due to “vintage” spring and summer growing conditions the New Zealand apple industry is harvesting some of the largest tastiest fruit for many years.

Apple growers around the country are launching into the 2014 harvest with confidence that this will be one of the best crops ever. Alan Pollard, CEO of the apple industry organisation Pipfruit New Zealand Inc., says, “In growing regions such as Hawkes Bay we have had to go back to 1998 to find a growing season as good as this one”.

A very warm spring followed by consistently warm summer days has resulted in large, firm fruit that are developing what New Zealand apples are world famous for, exceptional taste.

With the 2013 export apple crop being a record at over 550,000 metric tonnes harvested and 325,000 MT (18.04 million 18kg cartons) exported, the 2014 crop is predicted to be only slightly smaller at 505,000 MT to harvest and 308,000 MT (17.16 million 18kg cartons) for export.

“The big difference between 2013 and 2014 says, Mr Pollard, is the size. This year’s fruit size will be bigger than the past few seasons and this will be a point of difference for the New Zealand crop”.

“New Zealand is without doubt the best place in the world to grow apples. Our island climate keeps summers not too hot and winters not too cold, perfect for apples”, says Mr Pollard.

The New Zealand apple industry produced 62.9 metric tonnes per hectare in 2013 compared with the next highest national average of 41.3 MT in Chile.

The apple industry continues to transform itself with significantly increased plantings of high value New Zealand exclusive varieties such as Envy™ and Queen.

“The New Zealand apple industry is recognized as the world’s leading apple producers and we produce the world’s safest and tastiest fruit, say Mr Pollard, “Our fruit consistently exceeds the expectations of the world’s most discerning customers”.

Asked what gave the New Zealand industry these advantages Mr Pollard said that, “Our industry is committed collectively to achieving our strategic goals and to becoming a billion dollar industry within 10 years”.

To meet these goals the industry has developed close partnerships with Government agencies and research providers. This ensures it has the best new varieties, the safest and most sophisticated production systems and that the Government is able to negotiate excellent access to key markets.

But Mr Pollard is quick to say that it is the people in the industry who are its greatest asset. “To implement all these technical advantages takes skilled talented people and our industry based training programmes provides us with those people”.

And he reserves a special mention for the Recognised Seasonal Labour Scheme (RSE) and the industry’s partnership with the Ministries of Social Development and Business, Innovation and Employment. “The RSE scheme provides a necessary supply of capable people at critical times to pick, pack and maintain the crop. The scheme has transformed the quality of our fruit. There is no compromise and every activity is carried out in full and at the right time”.

“The proof is in the end result”, says Pollard, “quite simply the best, safest and tastiest apples in the world”.

Statement ends
For more information contact
Gary Jones, Business Development Manager, Pipfruit NZ
+64 6 873 7080
+64 021 758 314