21 May 2013

Apple exports to Australia still small part of market

10:29 am on 21 May 2013

Pipfruit New Zealand says only a small volume of apples is being exported to Australia again this year because protocols for getting fruit in the country are still tough.

The Australian market was finally re-opened to New Zealand apples in 2011 following a 90-year ban.

Pipfruit New Zealand's chief executive Alan Pollard says about 61 tonnes of apples went to Australia last year, and only about 9 tonnes have been exported so far this year.

Overall this season 305,000 tonnes of apples are expected to be exported worldwide.

Mr Pollard says Australia is seen as an important market for the future, but at the moment, strong demand and prices are being achieved in other parts of the world, partly due to a shortage of the fruit internationally.