A Hawke's Bay apple exporter says all the cartons it submitted for export to Australia this year have met the tough inspection and auditing conditions laid down by Australian authorities.
Apollo Apples is one of only three companies to persist with exports to Australia, following a challenging resumption of the trade last year, when Australia lifted its 90 year ban on apples from New Zealand.
Apollo post harvest manager Simon Thursfield says Apollo has sent three lots of apples over so far.
He says it's an exercise to keep the channel open and the company expects to increase volumes next year, to make the export more commercial.
Mr Thursfield says the checking of apples by Australian inspectors has been just as rigorous and demanding as it was last year, when one of the first New Zealand consignments intended for that market was rejected, but is not taking as long.
Mr Thursfield says Apollo is doing a lot of work at orchards to better prepare the fruit to pass the inspection.
