New Zealand: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual

New Zealand's fresh apple industry is experiencing a strong recovery in production and exports following the catastrophic damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. FAS/Wellington forecasts marketing year (MY) 2026/2027 commercial production to reach 590,000 metric tons (MT) across 11,250 hectares of planted area. This volume will return the sector to pre-pandemic levels, marking the second-highest production level on record. Despite this volume growth, orchard profitability remains heavily pressured by a challenging financial and environmental landscape. On-farm inflation for fuel, freight, electricity, and packaging costs is compounding debt levels. Fresh apple exports are forecast to reach 410,000 MT, their highest level since MY 2020/2021. New Zealand is leveraging its extensive free trade agreement network to maximize competitive advantages. Key Asian markets are driving this expansion, particularly Vietnam, Taiwan, India and China.