NZ: Australian apple market less fruitful than hoped
There has been no export this year as the market is so depressed, according to New Zealand's special projects manager, Peter Beaven.
"Supermarkets are selling fruit at quite low prices and New Zealand would not want to be a supplier right now," he said.
Jon Durham, managing director of Apple & Pear Australia, said so much fruit had carried over from last year that the market was bound to be depressed.
Coles supermarkets have been selling Golden Delicious apples at 98 cents a kilogram, which was less than half the price of production.
Australia's two major chains - Coles and Woolworths - have indicated that, whilst there are adequate national supplies, they will not be purchasing imports.
He says apple markets are stronger in the US, so New Zealand exporters will be sending their apples there.
"And, given the difficult biosecurity protocols that they need to meet for Australia, it's just not a viable option for them at this point in time.
"As the market increases in value, I'm sure we'll see some New Zealand apples coming here in due course."
Source: news.ninemsn.com.au
