6.28 Tamarillos
6.28.1 Tamarillo industry profile
Tamarillo is a subtropical fruit and grown mainly in warmer and sheltered areas of Northland, Auckland, the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay.
Total planted area is approximately 100 hectares. The number of growers remains at around 40, 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. However, production volumes are increasing with 450 tonnes now being an average season’s production. 2020 was a bumper year for most growers, with 600 tonnes sold domestically at a value of $2.9 million, and 14 tonnes exported to the USA at a value of $0.1 million.
Growers now have a better understanding of the pest and maintain improved TPP control and implement effective integrated pest management programmes, although the recent hot summers and mild winters have seen infection rates increase again.
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. There have been some recent changes in the NZTGA with the chairperson’s role now combined with the secretary role. Robyn Wickenden occupies this position. Aaron Davies is the manager of the Tamarillo Export Council.
Exports
Small fluctuating volumes are exported to the USA which is the main market for tamarillos.
Table 6.28.1: Tamarillo (0810.90.00.40) export markets 2018-2020 (year ending June, tonnes, $NZ FOB)
|
Market |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|||
|
Volume |
Value |
Volume |
Value |
Volume |
Value |
|
|
United States of America |
5 |
33,091 |
20 |
98,885 |
3 |
17,585 |
|
Fiji |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.003 |
27 |
|
Hong Kong |
0.01 |
46 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Pacific Islands |
0.01 |
51 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
5 |
$33,188 |
20 |
$98,885 |
3 |
$17,612 |
|
% change (yr/yr) |
-67% |
-74% |
284% |
198% |
-84% |
-82% |
Barriers to export
Table 6.28.2: Cost of tamarillo tariffs (based on 2020 FOB value)
|
Country |
Tariff rate |
Value |
Estimated cost of tariff ($) |
|
United States of America |
2.2% |
17,585 |
387 |
|
Fiji |
0% |
27 |
0 |
|
Total |
2% |
$17,612 |
$387 |
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. This means there are no tamarillo exports to Australia.
United States of America. A risky market. Around 14 tonnes of tamarillos are exported to the USA yearly. However, as there is no approved phytosanitary treatment for tamarillo (a minor crop) if pests are detected on arrival the consignment will be fumigated with methyl bromide. Exports to USA are therefore at higher risk. Growers use voluntary measures that give them confidence that phytosanitary requirements of all importing countries will be met on inspection.