Each year during spring and summer, New Zealand apples [3] dominate China’s imported apple market and stand out as a star product. According to trade data from New Zealand Customs, China, as the largest export destination for New Zealand apples, receives over a quarter of the country’s total apple exports.

6 out of 10 Imported Apples in China Come From New Zealand

Data from China Customs indicate that between 2019 and 2024, China’s imports of fresh apples from New Zealand increased from US$120 million to US$170 million, with New Zealand’s share of China’s apple market rising from 54% to 78% in terms of value. Notably, the import volume of New Zealand apples into China experienced an impressive year-on-year growth of 43.5% last year.

In terms of import volume, New Zealand apples made up 67.7% of China’s total apple imports last year. Put simply, more than six out of every 10 imported apples in China originated from New Zealand.

Fresh Flavors From Agriculture’s Golden Latitude

New Zealand, with a land area comparable to China’s Guangxi province, has emerged as a leading global producer of high-quality fruits and a renowned apple exporter owing to its unique geography, favorable climate and advanced agricultural technology.

From February to April each year, New Zealand, situated in the Southern Hemisphere, transitions into autumn, with March marking the peak harvest season for apples and pears. This timing aligns with a seasonal gap in China’s fresh apple supply, driving strong market demand and enabling New Zealand to prioritize exports to Asia [4], particularly China.

Renowned for its pristine natural environment, New Zealand also enjoys the advantage of being located at the golden latitude of 45° south, an ideal zone for fruit cultivation. Key apple-growing regions, including Hawke’s Bay on the North Island and Nelson and Central Otago on the South Island, boast exceptional conditions: adequate chilling hours in winter, warm springs, long daylight hours in summer and a dry growing climate — all of which offer unparalleled benefits for apple production.

Moreover, New Zealand’s apple-growing regions are backed by robust infrastructure, including automated post-harvest sorting systems and controlled-atmosphere storage facilities, which guarantee the quality and freshness of every apple.

Decoding Star Apple Varieties

The development of an apple variety, from research and breeding to commercialization, can take 15 years or even longer. New Zealand’s apple industry has embraced this challenge decades ahead of others, positioning itself as a global leader in varietal innovation. By leveraging its diverse range of apple varieties, New Zealand has created technological barriers on the premium apple market and is able to offer varieties tailored to the preferences of consumers worldwide.

In recent years, as demand for new varieties has grown, New Zealand apples have gained recognition among mid-to-high-end consumers for their diversity, rich aroma and crisp texture. These apples not only feature an appealing appearance and excellent storage performance but also provide exceptional traceability and safety, highlighting New Zealand’s advanced expertise in fruit cultivation and quality control.

This year, seven New Zealand brands introduced 13 apple and pear varieties to the Chinese market. Highlights include classic varieties such as Breeze and Sonya from Freshco, Cherish and Miranda from Golden Bay Fruit, Ambrosia and the new EverCrisp variety from Luv’ya, and Dazzle, NZ Queen and Gala from Kiwi Crunch. Mr Apple presented Dazzle and Queen, Bostock featured Organic Fuji and its exclusive Premier Star, while PIQA showcased its unique red pear, PIQA.

New Zealand’s apple sector has developed a comprehensive product lineup, with diverse packaging formats securing prime positions on the shelves of major mid-to-high-end supermarkets in China. After crossing half of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand apples consistently deliver delightful surprises and sweet experiences to Chinese consumers each apple season.

Images: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and NZ Story

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article [5].