New Zealand's apple industry is proving a good example for other farming sectors to follow according to a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) report annual.

The Situation and Outlook for New Zealand Agriculture and Forestry 2009 (SONZAF) report has outlined how farming sectors should respond to the changing world economy.
MAF Director-General Murray Sherwin says it highlights the need for many farmers to look for new markets as recession in the European Union and United States of America are changing consumer behaviour and prompting trade protectionism there.
'A good example of how to respond is being demonstrated in the apple industry. The predominant varieties of apple exported have changed to meet demand in new markets such as Japan and Korea, with a resulting improvement in profitability, while the proportion of older varieties bound for Europe and North America has declined,” says Murray.
'Less profitable Braeburn and Royal Gala apples are being progressively replaced with new varieties such as Pacific Queen, Kiku and Envy, which have stronger appeal in the Asian market.”
SONZAF also highlights how a range of sectors will see profitability improvements in the next few years, including meat and forestry.
Murray says the overall picture of farming's future in New Zealand is a bright one.
'One of the universal truths in the world is that people will always need feeding, so with the global population continuing to grow, demand for food products will also increase.”