Commercial production in Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

Australia and New Zealand are well-known as having economies based on agricultural products and thus horticulture is regarded within both countries as an important and vital industry capable of diversification and expansion. The total annual gross value of horticulture (including fruits, vegetables and ornamentals) in Australia is US $1,586 billion (1985/86; Possingham & Wren, 1988) and in New Zealand is US $0,676 billion (1987/88; Min. Ag., NZ). In both countries the single largest horticultural crop is a fruit species, the grape in Australia and the kiwifruit in New Zealand, although each have large total fruit and vegetable export industries. The smallest component of horticulture in the region is the ornamental nursery trade but it is this industry which is very much the foundation of commercial micropropagation.