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. 

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