The annual apple and pear crop is forecast to pip last year's total.
New Zealand Apples & Pears estimates export volume at 21.2 million boxes, a rebound from the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle-ravaged total.
It's also a return to pre-cyclone levels.
CEO Karen Morrish says there are several factors behind the recovery, including cyclone-damaged crops bouncing back.
She says it's also down to a lot of hard work from growers, coupled with favourable weather.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.