ABSTRACT
The population of New Zealand (NZ) is relatively small and comprises only ca. 1.6 million households (Statistics NZ 2010). Since the average family purchases only NZ$286 per annum (US$181) of plants, cut –owers, and garden supplies, this requires the NZ –oriculture industry to be export
I. Introductory Remarks: Characteristics of and Statistics on the New Zealand Floriculture Industry .............................................................................................................. 471
A. Export versus Domestic .................................................................................................. 471 B. Enterprises, Employee Numbers, and Regional Distribution ......................................... 472
II. Challenges and Strategies of an Economically Sustainable Industry of Ornamental Geophytes .......................................................................................................... 473
A. Novel Product Range ...................................................................................................... 473 B. Timeliness of Supply ...................................................................................................... 473 C. Quality Product .............................................................................................................. 474 D. Market Proximity ........................................................................................................... 474 E. Better Technologies for Cost-Effective Production ........................................................ 474
III. Case Studies of the Research and Development of New Crops in New Zealand .................. 475 A. “Come and Gone”: Sandersonia aurantiaca ................................................................... 475
1. Dynamics of Production and Export ........................................................................ 475 2. Challenges and Strategies for the Future .................................................................. 476
B. “Came, Peaked and Waning”: Zantedeschia.................................................................. 476 1. Dynamics of Production and Export ........................................................................ 476 2. Challenges and Strategies for the Future .................................................................. 477
C. “Market Niche: Timeliness”—Nerine sarniensis .......................................................... 478 1. Dynamics of Production and Export ........................................................................ 478 2. Challenges and Strategies for the Future .................................................................. 478
D. “International Servicing”: Lilium and Tulipa Bulb Production...................................... 478 1. Lilium ........................................................................................................................ 479 2. Tulipa ........................................................................................................................ 479
IV. Conclusions: A Sustainable Future in an Increasingly Competitive Market .........................480 Acknowledgments ..........................................................................................................................480 Chapter Contributors ...................................................................................................................... 481 References ...................................................................................................................................... 481
focused. In general, growth in exports of –oriculture-related commodities began in the 1970s, stimulated by government incentives and market opportunities. Exporters promoted themselves in the Northern Hemisphere as suppliers of quality, counter-seasonally grown products.
