Australia resumes imports of fresh tomatoes from New Zealand

Australia had suspended imports of fresh tomatoes from New Zealand since May 2021, following the detection of Pepino mosaic virus in a small number of New Zealand greenhouses.

 

Local media have announced that New Zealand tomato growers have regained access to Australia, where tomato exports are now possible.

 

This reopening of the Australian market is the result of the joint efforts of the Ministry of Primary Industries and TomatoesNZ, which brings together the country's greenhouse tomato growers, to improve the code of good practice for managing the risks associated with Pepino mosaic virus during production and harvesting.

 

New Zealand growers are cautiously optimistic that their production costs will rise, estimating that the cost of testing for pepino mosaic virus will be around NZD 10,000 (USD 6,095) per exporter.

 

New Zealand's main tomato export season to Australia is generally between November and March each year. Prior to 2021, fresh tomato exports to Australia averaged 1,000 tonnes per year and were valued at NZD 2 million (USD 1.219 million).