The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has approved a long-awaited export pathway for fresh Tongan pineapples, marking the culmination of more than a decade of rigorous assessments.
The news follows years of reports highlighting damaged pineapples and low prices, particularly in Vava’u, due to oversupply and stagnant local market demand.
The approval follows a detailed review of import health standards and pest risk assessments, which vary for each exporting country. Tonga’s Ministry of Trade and Economic Development said this morning.
Last month, NZ MPI officials joined Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (MAFF), the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development (MTED), and a New Zealand importer on a joint mission to Vava’u to evaluate and address challenges in the pineapple export process.
A key requirement for the trade pathway is the construction of a new, HACCP-compliant packhouse in Vava’u, as existing facilities do not meet New Zealand’s strict biosecurity and food safety standards.
MTED has prioritised the project, with MAFF and NZ MPI providing technical guidance to ensure full compliance not only for pineapples but also for potential future export commodities.
The new export initiative is set to benefit Vava’u’s 252 commercial pineapple growers by providing an alternative market during peak harvest season (October–December), reducing oversupply in local markets and increasing Tonga’s export revenue.
“This is a significant milestone for Tonga’s agricultural sector,” said a spokesperson for MTED.
“Access to New Zealand’s market will create new opportunities for our farmers and strengthen our economy.”
With the packhouse development underway, Tonga is now one step closer to shipping its first commercial pineapple consignment to New Zealand, paving the way for expanded trade opportunities in the future.
In 2023, the Philippines was New Zealand’s top supplier of fresh and dried pineapples, followed by Ecuador, according to World Bank data.
For processed or preserved pineapples, the leading exporters were Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
