1 Dec 2010

NZ growers look to increase apple demand in Australia

7:55 am on 1 December 2010

The New Zealand pipfruit industry body says opening up Australia to apple imports could stimulate a lift in consumer demand there.

The New Zealand pipfruit industry body says opening up Australia to apple imports could stimulate a lift in consumer demand there.

Australia will have to develop a new scientifically-based import risk analysis for New Zealand apples, after the World Trade Organisation confirmed its earlier decision that restrictions on the trade broke the rules.

No New Zealand apples have been sent there since 1921, when Australia banned the trade because of concerns about the plant disease fireblight.

Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Peter Beaven says after revised access conditions are negotiated it's likely to be 2012 before shipments begin.

But he sees great potential to grow a market where the per capital consumption is much lower than in New Zealand, and which has been starved of new apple types, such as Pacific Rose, a variety unique to New Zealand.

Australian growers will also get access to some of New Zealand's apple varieties through the jointly funded Prevar company that commercialises new releases.