onions

New Zealand's onion exports grew by 47 per cent in 2012/13

Generating more then NZ$3.6bn in export revenue during the year to 30 June 2013, New Zealand’s horticultural products are playing a key role in the country’s economic growth, according to the latest Fresh Facts publication.

The industry’s total production was valued at NZ$6.7bn for the year, including NZ$770m of domestic spend on locally grown fruit and NZ$1.09bn on vegetables.

Kiwifruit and wine came out on top as major exported goods, with kiwifruit bringing in NZ$934m, according to the publication, which is produced by Plant & Food Research.

The biggest gains were in onion exports, increasing by 47 per cent from the previous year to NZ$90m, and apples, increasing by 40 per cent to NZ$475m.

Pacific Rim countries accounted for more than 71 per cent of exports, growing from 59 per cent in 2000, with the Asian market in particular showing a strong demand for kiwifruit.

Exports of horticultural machinery and components have also made sizeable gains, garnering NZ$79m to mark a near 70 per cent increase since 2008.