WELLINGTON, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's fruit exports rose 28 percent to 6.1 billion NZ dollars (3.52 billion NZ dollars) in the year ended November 2025, buoyed by strong Chinese demand for gold kiwifruit and apples, Stats NZ reported Friday.

This marked the second time that New Zealand's fruit exports reached 6 billion NZ dollars after first getting to this value in the year ended October 2025, according to the statistics department.

Kiwifruit and apples accounted for more than 90 percent of total fruit export value in the year ended November 2025, said Stats NZ international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward.

China and the European Union were the top destinations for New Zealand's gold and green kiwifruit respectively, while China remained New Zealand's largest market for apples, taking over a quarter of its total apple export value, Stats NZ said.

Exports of New Zealand apples climbed 29 percent, or 280 million NZ dollars, from a year earlier, with volumes up 13 percent and unit prices up 14 percent, it said.

Cherries exports earned 125 million NZ dollars over the period, and avocado exports totaled 107 million NZ dollars, statistics showed. (1 NZ dollar equals 0.58 U.S. dollar) ■