New Zealand Fast Facts, Soils, Wine Exports Reach New High
New Zealand Wine Sector Fast Facts 2022
•744 Producers. 644 Growers.
•41,603 Hectares under vine
•SB – still the largest – 26,559 Ha
•PN – 5,807
•CH – 3,187
•PG – 2,809
•Mer – 1,077
and Riesling - 619
Producer Categories from smallest to largest - how many
•625+ Small < 200,000 litres
•69+ Medium < 4,000,000 litres
•20+ Large from > 4,000,000 litres (1,056,688 gallons)
•11 Wine regions
•21 GIs (Geographical Indicators) (Iponz.govt.nz)
•Largest concentration of wineries are in Hawkes Bay, Marlborough & Central Otago
Soils
•Northland – mostly clay with some sand and volcanic substructures.
•Auckland – mostly clay with some sand and volcanic substructures. Waiheke Island – clay, iron, ancient rock. 53 volcanoes – all sleeping.
•Waikato and Bay of Plenty - mostly clay, quite fertile.
•Gisborne – Silts, clays, clay loams.
•Hawkes Bay – 25+ soil types - clay loam, to limestone, to sands and free draining gravels, red metal.
•Wairarapa – Rivers carved out much of the landscape leaving behind deposits of stones. Terraced sites with silts and some clays, loess, free-draining soils.
•Nelson – Moutere Hills have clay, gravel and sandy loams. Waimea plains have stones and river deposits and sandy loams.
• Marlborough – Mostly exposed old river beds with stones. South and inland has clay loams and silt loams.
•Canterbury – Sandstone, loess, alluvium, gravels, siltstone, some limestone
•Waipara – North Canterbury: Gravels, marine silts, gravels, concentrated deposits of limestone
•Waitaki Valley – Limestone, gravels, schist
•Central Otago – Mainly schist, some gravels, some clays, Quartz
Exports
The value of New Zealand wine in international markets is stronger than ever, with exports for 12 months to September at an all-time high of $2.03 billion, up 6% from the previous year, according to NZ Winegrowers.
USA ($727 million) and Canada ($157 million) are at new record levels.
The total value increase of 6% is due to a rise in value per litre, with volume for the 12 months to September decreasing 4% from a year ago.
The month of September 2022 has set a new export record of $287 million, this being the first time the export value has exceeded $¼ billion in any month.
“Record export value in September proves that our customers continue to appreciate the exceptional flavours, commitment to quality and sustainability of New Zealand wines, particularly in key international markets such as North America,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
“Consumers around the world select a bottle of New Zealand wine off the shelf as they know it is a premium and unique product that they can trust.”
NZ Winegrowers says the record export value emphasises the adaptability and resilience of the industry, during a year that has been full of challenges, as increasing production costs and inconsistent shipping reliability have continued to impact growers and wineries.
The ongoing labour shortage and scarcity of skilled workers remains a serious concern, along with operating in a high inflation environment.
With the reopening of New Zealand’s borders and easing of COVID-19 restrictions, many in the industry are eagerly awaiting the return of international wine tourists to New Zealand’s shores.
“Cellar doors have been hit hard by the collapse in international tourist numbers over the past two years,” says Gregan.
“Expectantly, with the reopening of New Zealand’s borders, we will see the return of overseas visitors, who will once more be able to enjoy all the experiences our wine regions have to offer.
“Alongside domestic holidaymakers, international tourists will give wine businesses the boost they need to see them through the busy summer period, and beyond.” Exports information written by Charlotte CowanOctober 27, 2022, The Shout - online