APRICOT PRODUCTION IN CENTRAL OTAGO, NEW ZEALAND

Apricots have been grown in New Zealand since soon after the settlement of European people in the country in the latter part of the last century.
Cultivation has, in general, been limited to old cultivars.

Areas of cultivation

Traditionally apricots have been grown in the Central Otago region of the South Island.
An increase of interest in apricot cultivation has occurred in the last five years in more northern areas, namely Blenheim, Christchurch and Hawkes Bay.

Apricot production in these milder, more northern districts has remained insignificant to New Zealand total production.
This is due to the effects of unsatisfactory chilling on tree performance and because of other land use options.

The Central Otago district is the major apricot producing district in New Zealand.
In 1978 this region had 79.5 % of the New Zealand apricot producing area, 78.5% of the nation’s apricot trees and 90% of the apricot fruit production.
Since this time some minor changes have occurred, however, the district is still the major apricot district in the country.

The district consists of approximately 430 ha (150.000 trees) and over the past decade has been producing up to 6.6 thousand tonnes of fruit of which approximately 40% is used as processed production (90% canned, 10% dried). Of the fresh market fruit an increasing but small amount is exported (5% fresh fruit) and the balance marketed within New Zealand.

VIII International Symposium on Apricot Culture and Decline

L. Buchanan

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1986.192.19