Latest horticulture statistics show New Zealand is importing more frozen vegetables, but exporting less than it did five years ago.
Horticulture New Zealand says exports of frozen vegetables, other than potatoes, dropped by almost 20% to 74,000 tonnes between 2005 - 2009.
During that time, imports, mainly from Australia and China, increased by 135%.
Most from Australia are frozen potatoes while ingredients for stir fry are on the rise from China.
The agency says a depressed arable industry is behind the drop in frozen vegetable exports from New Zealand, saying it's price related.
