Pacific rim nations drive growth in New Zealand horticulture exports

New Zealand's growing horticulture exports are driving an thriving trade in machinery and equipment as demand surges in developing Pacific rim countries, figures from a government research institute revealed Monday. Horticultural products accounted for 8 percent of New Zealand's total goods exports in the year ending June 2013, up from 7.8 percent the year before, according to a report from Plant & Food Research. In the year to June 2013, the horticulture industry generated more than 3.6 billion NZ dollars (3.12 billion U.S. dollars) in export revenue, with the wine accounting for 33 percent of that figure. Exports of horticultural machinery and components was valued at 79 million NZ dollars (68.43 million U.S. dollars), up almost 70 percent since 2008. The biggest gains were seen in onion exports, which rose in value by 47 percent year on year to a total 90 million NZ dollars (77.94 million U.S. dollars), and apple exports, which were up by 40 to 475 million NZ dollars (411.39 million U.S. dollars). Total produce from the horticultural industry was valued at 6.7 billion NZ dollars (5.8 billion U.S. dollars). "Pacific Rim countries are an increasing export focus for New Zealand, accounting for more than 71 percent of exports, compared to 59 percent in 2000," Plant & Food Research CEO Peter Landon- Lane said in a statement. "To continue increasing our exports to these countries, we need to understand the requirements of these consumers and deliver products that exceed their expectations, as well as meet increasingly stringent requirements for food safety and sustainability."