Growing apple industry in Central Otago's boosting the economy
Representatives from Pipfruit New Zealand, Horticulture New Zealand and Summerfruit New Zealand met orchardists and district and regional councillors to discuss the future of horticulture in Central Otago and issues and initiatives.
Mr Pollard said the apple industry was experiencing phenomenal growth nationally and Central Otago was an important part of that, producing 4% of the nation's apples and being New Zealand's third-largest apple-producing region.
Last year, apple exports were worth $720 million nationally, of which about $30 million was from Central Otago. But the flow-on effects to the economy were three to five times that, so between $90million and $150million had been put into the Central Otago economy last apple season, Mr Pollard said.
The main issues affecting orchardists continued to be access to land and water, biosecurity and labour, Mr Pollard said.
source: nzherald.co.nz
