Horticulture exports might be problem

Press, 17 September 1980, Page 7

Horticulture exports might be problem

Parliamentary reporter Horticulture has shown considerable success in New Zealand in recent years but ’ finding sufficient export markets might cause problems. Notable examples of successes are apples, kiwifruit, blackcurrant, boysenberries and orchids. Although apples are a traditional crop, New Zealand’s net area increased from about 4900 ha in 1972 to nearly 5200 ha in 1979. The apple industry has been through troubled times during that period, and has been under considerable pressure to switch land planted .in apple trees to other uses.

The net area- in kiwifruit has risen from about 720 ha in 1972 — when-the fruit was languishing as

unpromoted “Chinese gooseberries" — to about 3500 ha by 1979. By the end of this year the area in kiwifruit is expected to exceed 4200 ha, a six-fold increase in eight years, and more heavy planting expected.

Blackcurrants are confined mainly to the South Island. (The net area has increased from a mere 63ha in 1970 to an estimated net 750 ha in 1979. By 1984, the area could well be more than HOOha.

Boysenberries have been another growth crop, the net area increasing from HOha in 1970 to 340 ha in 1979.

The export of orchids has also grown remarkably. In 1978, exports were estimated at 1 million blooms and by 1984

could well reach 10 million blooms. At a recent horticulture exhibition in Palmerston North, the Under-Secre-tary of Agriculture (Mr Talbot) cautioned against marketing difficulties.

The international market for horticultural products is highly competitive and without export 1 co-oper-ation and co-ordination, New Zealand will not achieve maximum overseas earnings or obtain the best over-all returns for the producer. The Government says it intends marketing to remain a function of the industry rather than the Government. Mr Talbot promised Government help, but nothing more. He said the Government would not take on the development or- marketing of horticultural products.

The Government has asked horticulturists to submit proposals for an export taxation incentive scheme appropriate for the industry.-This is a big departure, as the Government has previously limited export incentives to manufacturing and servicing industries;