Asian demand influences Central Otago fruit planting
China is becoming increasingly important as a market for Central Otago's viticulture and horticultur…China is becoming increasingly important as a market for Central Otago's viticulture and horticulture, says Central Otago District Council's economic development manager Warwick Hawker. The recent 2018 labour market survey showed a significant increase in cherry plantings in the region, to meet demand from overseas and Asian markets in particular.
The wine sector was also experiencing good market growth in China. ''In China, people are becoming more sophisticated with wine drinking,'' he said. 'The young Chinese person sector is huge for us as they are becoming more knowledgeable and sophisticated about wine. That, coupled with Chinese tourism, which share a lot of same demographics, is also becoming more important.''
Horticulture, although not a major market at the moment, has great potential. There are new varieties of apricots being planted, which are sweeter, juicier and maintain crispness, which he said appealed to Chinese fruit eaters.
And then there is Indonesia; this country was under-explored as a market and it had a huge population and was a wealthy nation. Mr Hawker said New Zealand had a free-trade agreement with Indonesia, which meant good access to that market.
Source: nzherald.co.nz