Product Group > Covered Crops

Overview Issues Statistics

Overview

The Covered Crops group includes capsicums, chillies, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, sprouted beans, witloof, and courgettes. Tomatoes are also a covered crop but are represented by the Fresh Tomato Product Group.

Production of export quality capsicums is specialised, capital intensive, and has a high cost structure in New Zealand. All export capsicums are produced in greenhouses.

Exports of capsicums were valued at nearly $29 million in 2006. Japan is the largest market closely followed by Australia. Together these markets comprise 98% of all capsicum exports. Between 2004 and 2005 exports to Japan rose strongly, up by 129%, but volumes in 2006 were marginally down on 2005 levels. Australian export values have remained static over this period.

Integrated Management

A presentation on the Integrated management of covered crops was made at the 2007 HortNZ conference - to download a PDF of this, please click here.

Issues/Activities

Current export initiatives are focused on reducing reliance on the Japanese market. The industry is seeking improved access to the USA and new access into Korea and China to reduce this market dependence.

Statistics (2006)

Covered Crops Overview

		Capsicums		Lettuce
Number of Growers		135		315
Area planted		87 hectares		1,207
Production		11,500 tonnes		-
Exports		$28 million		$1.2

Capsicum export markets 2004-6
(year ending June, tonnes and $NZ FOB)

		2004			2005
Market		Volume	Value		Volume	Value
Japan		1,617	9,617,677		3,706	15,315,276
Australia		2,539	14,143,055		2,348	10,014,030
Pacific Islands		68	424,033		64	321,565
Other		13	67,741		8	35,589
Total		4,237	24,252,506		6,125	25,686,460

		2006
Market		Volume	Value
Japan		3,622	16,854,450
Australia		2,574	11,714,206
Pacific Islands		69	332,007
Other		2	6,258
Total		6,268	28,906,921

Source: Statistics New Zealand