Breaking that down with data from the Fresh Facts 2025 report by industry organisation United Fresh, fresh vegetable exports equated to roughly $275m with $469m of processed/prepared vegetable exports. In comparison, New Zealand imported $32m of fresh vegetables in the financial year ended June 30, 2025. However, data from Stats NZ gives some insight into frozen vegetable demand in New Zealand, although the figures are only as recent as 2023. The average weekly spend per household on frozen vegetables and other preserved or processed vegetables equated to just $3.10 a week, up 19.2% between 2019 and 2023. A spokesperson for Woolworths confirmed that sales of frozen vegetables (including Woolworths’ own brand) have been declining, and that about 45% of its brand frozen vegetables is grown in New Zealand.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 09, 2026 21:43 UTC