A major New Zealand apple grower has suspended exports to the United States, turning its focus to the Asian market.

In April of this year, the United States imposed a 10% tariff on a series of New Zealand export products, including apples, and increased it to 15% in August. Although last month saw the removal of tariffs on certain products, including beef and kiwifruit, the tariff on apples remains in place. Hawke's Bay is New Zealand's largest apple-producing region, accounting for 64% of the country's total production. Paul Paynter, who is in charge of a plantation that grows Yummy Fruit, stated that the 15% tariff essentially cancels out all his profit from exports to the United States. Moreover, the U.S. market is currently oversupplied, and prices are not ideal. He is now focusing on other markets, although they also present challenges. Jonathan Brookes, a horticultural consultant for the local agricultural consulting firm AgFirst, said that most growers are currently busy with fruit thinning. The U.S. market tends to be somewhat saturated due to domestic supply, and although some key buyers are performing well, they are very picky. Many markets in Asia and surrounding regions are actually performing quite well. Despite the export challenges, Paynter remains optimistic about the upcoming harvest season because the growing conditions have been nearly perfect, and the fruit quality looks good. The harvest is expected to start on time early next year, and Hawke's Bay is expected to have a bumper crop.