10 Sep 2021

Markets grow for tiny Rockit apples

From Country Life, 9:15 pm on 10 September 2021
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Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles

The Covid-19 pandemic has lead to a lift in demand for New Zealand's tiny Rockit apple.

The apples are exported in tubes and Rockit CEO Mark O'Donnell says that's appealed to people looking for food safety.

"The idea of these amazing little apples in a tube, untouched by anyone else after they have been picked ...has gone down very well."

Rockit's largest market is China which will continue to grow, however other markets are expected to grow faster, Mark says.

"India for us is really, really important. We see it is a huge part of our future growth story."

Rockit has partnered with Kane Williamson to help market the the miniature apple to consumers in 'cricket-mad' countries, Mark says.

This year 100-million Rockit apples will be exported and in three years' time 400-million will head overseas.

The amount of land planted in Rockit apples is expected to grow from 500 ha now to almost 1000 ha by the end of 2023.

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Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles