The country's biggest apple exporter, ENZA, expects its Jazz variety to be worth about $45 million this season.
The apple, is a cross between Royal Gala and Braeburn, was introduced on to the international market six years ago.
ENZA spokesperson Campbell Naish says the variety is becoming one of the most popular in the world.
Based on a predicted export volume of 1.5 million cartons, he says, the variety is expected to make $45 million in export earnings this season.
Mr Naish says recent plantings are likely to double the number of export cartons by 2014.
The Jazz variety will start to appear on New Zealand shelves this week, for only the second year.
