New Zealand apple crop expected to be up on last year, labour remains a concern

The New Zealand apple harvest got off to a slightly later start compared to the past few seasons for the early harvested varieties, bit the later varieties appear to be similar in timing.

"Volumes of newer varieties are up and the traditional older types are down as the industry continues to transition to newer cultivars," explained Terry meikle, CEO of NZ Apples and Pears. "Overall size is similar to the last few years."

"We expect the potential crop to be up on last year but with no backpackers workers we are relying on our Pacific Island RSE workers. They have been amazing over the past few years and we owe them so much gratitude. Many businesses would not have survived without them and their remittances back home to their families have helped the Pacific economies endure through the past two years."

In 2021 the market share of New Zealand apple exports was Asia  54%, Europe 16%, UK 10%, US 8%, Middle East 4%.

"New Zealand growers are trying to mitigate the labour shortages by moving faster to automation and planting orchards that are more effectively harvested through augmentations systems such as platforms and we have got our RSE migrant worker programme with the Pacific back up to its pre COVID number."

New Zealand apple crop expected to be up on last year, labour remains a concern PDF