6.27     Tamarillos

6.27.1 Industry profile

Tamarillo is a subtropical fruit grown mainly in warmer and sheltered areas of Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay.

Total planted area is approximately 45 hectares. The number of commercial growers has been around 20 for the last five years, a decrease from 150 after the discovery of the tomato potato psyllid (TPP) in 2006. This was reflected in a corresponding reduction in volume from 800 tonnes worth $3.5 million, to 250 tonnes valued at $1.3 million at that time. In 2023, growers sold 238 tonnes through the domestic wholesalers at a value of $2.2 million, and 2 tonnes exported to the USA from one grower at a value of $0.02 million. The export market cost structures cannot compete effectively with the domestic market pricing.

Growers continue to implement effective integrated pest management programmes for tomato potato psyllid, which remains the biggest barrier to entry for new growers.

Tamarillos are a prescribed product under the Horticulture Export Authority Act. The New Zealand Tamarillo Growers Association (NZTGA) and Tamarillo Export Council represent the industry. Due to the smaller number of growers, the chairperson’s role is combined with the secretary role and is undertaken on a volunteer basis. Robyn Wickenden occupies this position. Aaron Davies is the manager of the Tamarillo Export Council.

6.27.2 Exports

Small fluctuating volumes are exported to the USA, the main export market for tamarillos. Tamarillos to the USA achieved an average value of $16,293/tonne in 2024, compared to $5,340/tonne in 2022.

Table 6.27.1: Tamarillo (0810.90.00.40) export markets 2023-2024(year ending June, tonnes, $NZ FOB)

6.27.3 Barriers to export

Table 6.27.2: Cost of tamarillo tariffs (based on 2024 FOB value)

SPS market access barriers

Australia. Market access available, but no exports. Fumigation with methyl bromide is the only approved treatment to manage the risk of tomato potato psyllid, but phytotoxicity can be a problem affecting fruit quality and shelf life, and there are no tamarillo exports to Australia.

USA. As there is no approved phytosanitary treatment for pests intercepted during on-arrival inspection of tamarillo the consignment may face reshipment or destruction.  Exports to the USA are therefore at higher risk. Quantities exported to the USA are small and poses a risk to New Zealand losing this market. The reduced quantity is due to domestic pricing being high and therefore growers not getting a superior return from exporting once all the other export-specific costs are taken into account.  Only tamarillos from a non- mosaic virus infected orchard may export which places further restrictions on the number of growers who meet this requirement.