Kiwifruit drives surge in New Zealand’s 2025 fresh fruit exports

New Zealand’s fruit exports reached a total of $5.68 billion FOB, a 42 percent increase from last year's total.

According to this year's Fresh Facts 2025 report by New Zealand's produce industry association, United Fresh, Kiwifruit is still the country's most valuable crop export. This season, the fruit contributed over $3.66 billion FOB to all fresh produce exports, representing a 35 percent increase. 

Based on the latest data, Jacob Lawes, project manager of the United Fresh Technical Advisory Group, said New Zealand's produce industry is well-positioned "to meet the government’s goal of doubling produce exports from $5.08 billion in 2024 to $10.16 billion by 2034."

The report shows total fresh and processed produce exports valued at $6.85 billion FOB, up from 2024, with Australia and Japan remaining the top markets, followed by China and the European Union.

Māori's role in New Zealand's kiwifruit production 

The report also highlights the increasing role of Māori in the country's horticulture sector.

The indigenous community's land ownership has grown by over 470 percent over the past 20 years. Today, over 34,500 acres of Māori-owned land are dedicated to fruit and vegetable production, with overall assets valued at $3.7 billion. This represents seven percent of the total horticultural land used in New Zealand. 

Māori communities own over 12 percent of kiwifruit land in New Zealand, over 5,000 acres.

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