Latest statistics show the horticulture sector is continuing to grow, despite setbacks such as the PSA kiwifruit disease.
Figures on industry performance compiled by Plant and Food Research and Horticulture New Zealand show fruit, vegetable and related export earnings increased by a further 5.5% to $3.5 billion in the year ending June 2012.
A third of New Zealand's horticultural exports in value terms were to markets in Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea while wine exports accounted for more than 40% of the value of fresh and processed fruit exports.
Kiwifruit export returns increased by more than 8%, despite the problems caused by the Psa vine disease.
Frozen vegetable exports increased by 13% to $242 million but fresh vegetable export earnings fell by more than 20% compared to the year before, with returns from onions down by more than 4O%.
