6.16      Persimmons

6.16.1 Industry profile

Persimmons have been grown in New Zealand since the 1870s. Today, the persimmon growing regions are Gisborne, Auckland, and Northland, with small amounts in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. The total production volume in 2021 was estimated at 2,300 tonnes of which 1,480 tonnes were exported, from a planted area of 136 hectares. In 2022, the export industry consists of 29 growers, seven packhouses and seven licensed exporters.

The main variety of persimmon grown and exported is the non- astringent variety Fuyu. The persimmon season runs from late April to July. Improved knowledge of persimmon storage has seen export sales extend into August, as advancements have been made in storage and shelf life. Initially dependent on high-cost airfreight to export markets for nearly 60% of exports, improved stock management and newer practices have in recent years lengthened storage and shelf life enabling more cost-efficient sea freight to be used for approximately 70% of exports. Impacts on freight rates and availability as a result of the Covid pandemic worldwide, has seen an even higher dependence on sea freight over the last two seasons.

Industry production has been increasing as new plantings mature, and is expected to trend upwards on the near future. Critical for industry expansion and profitability will be maintenance of market access, and possible simplification of requirements as the industry continues to show an excellent record of compliance.

Persimmons are a prescribed product under the New Zealand Horticulture Export Authority. The Persimmon Industry Council is the representative body and manages the export persimmon industry.

6.16.2 Exports

Exports of persimmons decreased by 9% in value, and 16% in volume in 2022. The four top markets, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Viet Nam, take 72% of total exports. The value of the Australian market decreased 23% to $2.83 million on a 29% decrease in volume. Export value to Singapore experienced a decrease of 24%, but exports to both Thailand and Viet Nam increased 8.4%. The value per tonne has increased by 7.7% since 2020 and now averages $6,132/tonne, although this is variable between markets.

As noted in previous editions of this report, the volume of fruit sent to individual markets varies from year to year and is dictated by fruit standards (e.g., fruit size) as well as local growing conditions.

Table 6.16.1: Persimmon (0810.70.00.00) export markets 2020-2022 (year ending June, tonnes, $NZ FOB)

6.16.3 Barriers to export

Cost of tariffs

No tariffs are imposed on persimmons to the major markets. A tariff of 4.4% for Taiwan phased out to zero in 2021, and under CPTPP the tariff into Japan has been removed. A 4% tariff remains in place for Indonesia, and 5% and 8% are imposed by New Caledonia and French Polynesia respectively. Tariffs to New Caledonia and French Polynesia will remain when the New Zealand-EU FTA is implemented as French overseas countries or territories are not part of the EU Customs territory.

The estimated cost of tariffs in 2022 equates to an average $708 for each of the 29 persimmon growers.

Table 6.16.2: Cost of persimmon tariffs (based on 2022 FOB value)

SPS and other market access barriers

Australia. Australia is the largest export market for New Zealand persimmons. The removal of the OPI programme (refer Section 7.8.3) led to increased uncertainty for exports, as the detection of actionable pests led to methyl bromide fumigation which damages fruit quality and shelf life. Since 2020, the industry made treatment with Vapormate™ a pre-shipment requirement for all licensed exports to Australia through its Export Marketing Strategy (EMS), which has proved to be successful. The persimmon industry is part of the CBIS scheme and is also the pilot crop for a trial focussing on monitoring compliance by exporter, rather than by importer.