6.8      Buttercup squash

6.8.1      Buttercup squash industry profile

In 2015/16 there were 27 growers, 9 pack houses and 9 exporters. The main growing areas for buttercup squash are Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, South Auckland, Manawatu / Horowhenua and Canterbury. 

Buttercup squash is a prescribed product under the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority. The New Zealand Buttercup Squash Council (NZBSC) represents buttercup squash growers, packhouses, and exporters and facilitates industry programmes to maximise value for stakeholders. To achieve this the NZBSC implements four main programmes in quality management, research and development, market development initiatives, and industry development, co-ordination, and communication.

The Council operates from the offices of Horticulture New Zealand in Wellington (Business Manager – Owen Symmans, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., www.nzbsc.com).

6.8.2  Buttercup squash exports

Japan remains the largest export market for buttercup squash with $44.9 million exported in 2016. The value of exports to this, and all other markets, has increased by $12 million compared with 2014. The second largest export market remains the Republic of Korea with $11.8 million, which has seen export values increase by 9.3% compared to 2014 values. These two markets continue to account for almost 98% of the industry export earnings. New Zealand grown buttercup squash has a number of competitors, with Mexico, Tonga, New Caledonia, the USA, and Australia all exporting to Japan at various times during the New Zealand export window of late December to May. Mexico is the most significant competitor in the Japanese market. The New Zealand industry is currently exploring market development opportunities to broaden its options.

Table 6.8.1: Buttercup squash (0709.93.00.10) export markets 2014-16 (year ending June, tonnes and $NZ FOB)

Source: Statistics New Zealand