New Zealand's fruit and vegetable report released; kiwi, apples lead exports while avocados fall sharply

New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industries has released the SOPI report, forecasting a 5% increase in fruit and vegetable exports, reaching S$6.9 billion in 2022. Kiwifruit and apple exports are expected to drive this growth, although avocado and table grape exports will decline. The European Union, Australia, China, the United States, and Japan are the primary export destinations. The apple industry is experiencing high export values and prices, despite a hail impact on traditional varieties, with a slight decrease in prices expected for the 21/22 season. Kiwifruit exports are also expected to grow, driven by the golden fruit and a new variety, RubyRed. However, New Zealand avocado exports are heading for a challenging season with increased production leading to lower prices, despite demand from Southeast Asian countries. Cherry exports are expected to see a rise in both volume and price in the 21/22 production season. The industry faces challenges such as labor shortages, logistics pressures, and rising freight costs.