Kiwifruit marketer Zespri expects some growth in export sales this year, but says all major markets remain highly sensitive to an oversupply of the fruit and to retail prices.
Chairman John Loughlin told the company's annual meeting in Tauranga, that although a global financial recovery is underway, consumer confidence in many Western economies is uncertain, due to continuing high unemployment, financial market volatility and rising food and oil prices.
He says Zespri did well to hold global sales to just over $1.5 billion in the past year, with much of the impact of the significantly stronger value of the New Zealand dollar, offset by gains in currency hedging.
Mr Loughlin says there's been strong growth in some markets, with kiwifruit sales in China up 27%.
Chief executive Lain Jager says China, along with Japan, and Spain, were the standout markets for kiwifruit.
He says more people are eating kiwifruit regularly which is important because 80% of the fruit is eaten by 30% of the consumers.
Mr Jager says the focus on health is what's increased the number of people who are eating kiwifruit regularly.
He says the annual consumption of New Zealand kiwifruit in Spain per person is now 0.75kg and 1kg per person in Taiwan, compared with the global consumption of 50 grams.
He says sales to China could grow from the current 10 million trays to 90 million, by increasing consumption per person to 250 grams per year.
