New Zealand apple output to rise slightly, but acreage drops
New Zealand apple planted area will drop substantially because of damage from cyclone Gabrielle in February, according to a new USDA report.
Even so, the report says production and exports in 2023-24 will bounce back moderately from the storm-damaged 2022-23 season.
In its annual report on New Zealand deciduous crops, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service says that New Zealand apple acreage is projected to decline from 27,181 acres to 22,733 because of the damage from cyclone Gabrielle, which hit New Zealand in early February.
The storm resulted in large-scale floodwaters, silt, debris, wind and surface flooding in the primary apple-growing regions of Hawkes Bay and Gisborne, according to the report.
“Orchards in this region were damaged so severely that tree stock could no longer be classed as viable for future production or was destroyed completely,” the report said.
The report said that royal gala was the largest variety for export in 2022-23.
“However, increases in export demand for varieties such as Envy, Dazzle, and, in particular, Rockit have experienced increases in unit pricing per metric ton,” the report said. “Commentary from growers is that with the current replacement of damaged orchards and increasing interest rates, farm gate returns will be a substantial factor in the selection of future varieties.”
The industry is experiencing diminishing acreage for varieties such as braeburn, which declined from 22% of New Zealand apple acreage in 2011-12 to just 8% in 2021-22.
The USDA report pegs 2023-24 apple exports at 320,000 metric tons, up from 310,000 metric tons in 2022-23.
“Although well behind historical volumes, this represents a recovery following the damage incurred in the current year,” the report said.
Industry sources say export market demand is expected to stay strong, according to the report.
“Export priorities are anticipated to continue to focus on Asian markets such as Vietnam and China, as well as the U.S. and the United Kingdom in the foreseeable future,” the report said.
