Kiwifruit Exports Hit Record $3.1 Billion
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- Kiwifruit exports reached $3.1 billion, a 20 percent rise from August 2023.
- Gold kiwifruit exports grew 24 percent, driven by increased quantity sold internationally.
- Green kiwifruit exports saw nearly 10 percent growth, due to rising prices.
Kiwifruit exports from New Zealand reached an all-time high of $3.1 billion for the year ended August 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ. This marked an impressive $524 million increase (20 percent) compared with the previous year.
“Kiwifruit export values for the season so far are the highest they have ever been,” international trade manager Viki Ward said. The export season typically runs from March to November, allowing growers to maximise global market opportunities.
Gold kiwifruit made the biggest contribution, with exports valued at $2.4 billion. This was a 24 percent increase ($457 million) over the previous year, driven largely by a 23 percent boost in export quantities. Green kiwifruit also showed growth, reaching $737 million, up 9.9 percent, which was attributed mainly to a 9.0 percent rise in price.
Gold kiwifruit consistently command higher prices than green varieties. “Growers in New Zealand are increasingly planting gold, and now red, kiwifruit, to capture greater export value in markets like China and Japan,” Ward added.
China remains the top destination for gold kiwifruit exports, while the European Union is the leading market for green kiwifruit.