The national pipfruit industry body isn't expecting any big pick up in apple exports to Australia this year, after last year's less than auspicious reopening of the trade.
Some small consignments of New Zealand apples were shipped to Australia at the tail end of last season, after a 90-year ban on the trade was finally lifted.
But rigorous Australian quarantine inspections and a high rate of rejections in the first consignments turned off growers and exporters.
And Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard doesn't see any indication that the trade is going to build up this season.
He says he believes very little will go to Australia because of the onerous compliance issues.
But Mr Pollard says there are a number of packhouses registered for Australia so it's still on the radar.
