New Zealand’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports will reach $4.3 billion in 2024, an increase of 8 percent from 2023.
Fresh Facts 2024 report produced by United Fresh represented the country’s pan-produce centre.
Insights from the report revealed that New Zealanders ate over a billion dollars worth of potatoes last year.
Taiwan has been consuming more than $44m worth of New Zealand cherries, while Royal Gala apples were New Zealand’s most popular variety, comprising almost 22 percent of apple exports.
United Fresh General Manager Paula Dudley said the report contained critical data and insights to enable New Zealand’s fresh produce industry to thrive and detailed statistics for different fruit and vegetable sectors. It analysed volume, export markets, and value over the past five years and pinpointed emerging trends.
“As a key player in the fresh produce sector, we are responsible for generating measurable, timely, intelligent and accurate data,” said Dudley.
“This data is vital to helping our industry and its partners plan, foster and grow domestic and export value chains efficiently.”
For the first time, the industry’s own reporting on sustainability has been measured, and concerns were raised in Fresh Facts 2024 that not enough organisations understand the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Last year, United Fresh produced guidelines for New Zealand’s fresh produce businesses and organisations to start contributing to achieving the 17 SDGs adopted by the New Zealand government.
An analysis of annual reports across the industry showed that 84 percent mentioned sustainability, but only 20 percent mentioned SDGs specifically, and only two percent have adopted an SDG framework.
“This shows that while awareness of sustainability within the fresh produce industry is significant, much work remains to be done.”
Dudley added that Fresh Facts 2024 was a valuable tool to unlock the industry’s full potential. Leveraging reliable information could contribute significantly to our nation’s economic growth.
“This data-driven approach also strengthens our ability to engage with the government professionally, transparently and informally, ensuring that we are prepared to address both opportunities and challenges.”
United Fresh thanked its Fresh Facts partner, the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, and the industry sponsors who have supported Fresh Facts 2024.
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