Commodity Levy

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is there a compulsory levy?

  We invest grower levies into programmes that directly benefit, support and advocate for a better future for our growers based on our strategic priorities. This includes research and development to create practical and future focused solutions, developing and maintaining markets, biosecurity readiness, promoting careers in the apple industry, and advocating for our industry with central and local government.

• How much is the commodity levy?

  The Commodity Levy from 1st November 2023 is 1.15 cents per kilogram. The rate of the levy is set each year at the NZAPI Annual General meeting. For the 24/25 year, the NZAPI Board has announced that the commodity levy rate to be called is 1.00 cents per kilogram.

  The maximum levy that can be set is 1.5 cents per kilogram of apples, pears and nashi sold as whole fruit in New Zealand, or exported for sale.  

• How much money is collected through the levy each year?

  Based on 1.15 cents per kilogram. NZAPI collects about $4.3 million a year from the levy to invest in supporting growers' futures.

• Who decides how levy money is invested?

  The New Zealand Apples and Pears Board of Directors decide how commodity levy money collected each year is spent. The Board’s decision-making is guided by the strategy and supported by advice from the New Zealand Apples and Pears team.

• How much is the current biosecurity levy?

  The Biosecurity Response levy from 10th August 2023 is $0 per hectare per year. The rate of the levy is sent annually at the NZAPI Annual General Meeting and the maximum level able to be set is $100 per year per planted hectare of apples or pears, determined at 1 August in the current calendar year. 

• What is the biosecurity levy for?

  The Biosecurity Response levy can only be used to pay the apple and pear industry's share of a Government Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response, for example a fruit fly or BMSB incursion response.