Industry Overview

Greenhouse Growing Techniques

Most growers use soil less media, planting into pumice or sawdust filled plastic bags or buckets, or in rock wool or cocopeat slabs. These are all hydroponic or semi-hydroponic systems. Most heat their greenhouses for frost protection, but also for total environment control to achieve increased yield, reduce disease issues, and maintain consistent quality.

Most growers are committed to year round production (one crop cycle lasts up to 10 months of the year), and utilise bumble bees for pollination, CO2 injection to maintain ambient levels, as well as water treatment and other European technology. Use of biological pest control and beneficial insects is common-place.

Greenhouse production is centred around Auckland, the central North Island, Nelson and Christchurch.

Learn about how fresh NZ tomatoes are grown

A range of fresh tomato types

Growth in the industry and in consumption has all been based around the rapid rise in the popularity of the specialty tomatoes; i.e. vine ripened, on the vine, both standard size and smaller, and the plum and cherry types.

The range of varieties grown has increased dramatically through the specialty varieties and most are of Dutch origin. Some are traditional types, while others are vine ripened or long shelf life cherry or cocktail tomatoes. Specialty tomatoes include small, medium and large varieties on the truss, tray packed, or loose in bags, plus some small and normal size plum tomatoes. The range of specialty and pre-packed tomatoes has increased dramatically in the last ten to fifteen years. Otherwise the main product is "standard round loose tomatoes". In the North Island, most fruit is picked without the calyx while the opposite occurs in the South Island.

The NZ tomato industry

The New Zealand fresh tomato industry expanded significantly during the 1990s and early 2000s, with larger greenhouse structures, advances in technology and higher-yielding cultivars. In the years that followed, relatively few completely new tomato glasshouses were built, with many existing growers instead upgrading and modernising their facilities. Establishing a new commercial greenhouse operation requires substantial capital investment, with current guidance indicating that build costs start at around $2 million per hectare, depending on equipment and specifications.

For many years, the area under fresh tomato production remained relatively steady while the structure of the industry gradually changed. Many growers are small, family-run businesses. Since the 1990s, however, the number of smaller growers has declined as housing development has expanded into traditional growing areas on the rural-urban fringe, while some larger growers have expanded. Growers have also invested in modern twin-skin plastic houses and Dutch-style glasshouses.

Commercial growing operations vary considerably in size. Around 4,000 square metres under cover can provide a commercial-scale operation, while larger businesses may extend over several hectares. Larger operations may also be jointly owned or have investor partners.

To succeed as a commercial tomato grower requires commitment, significant capital investment, consistent quality and reliable production volumes, as well as established routes to market. Smaller growers may sell through wholesalers, packhouses or grower marketing organisations, while many larger growers deal directly with supermarkets. With relatively few major buyers and retailers, scale, reliable supply and quality assurance remain important factors in accessing the market.

A small quantity of fresh tomatoes is grown outdoors. Outdoor fresh tomato production is seasonal, mainly during summer and early autumn, and is usually only one part of a grower’s annual production schedule. Traditional pockets of outdoor production continue to exist in Northland, Auckland, Horowhenua and Ōtaki, Gisborne, Marlborough, Nelson and Christchurch.

TomatoesNZ represents New Zealand’s commercial fresh tomato growers. For the year ended 31 March 2026, the industry comprised approximately 144 growers and had an estimated farm gate value of $177.3 million. During the same period, New Zealand exported 1,580 tonnes of fresh tomatoes, valued at $8.2 million FOB, to 15 countries and jurisdictions.

Current research and industry priorities include integrated pest management, biosecurity preparedness, energy efficiency and alternative heating technologies, and research and innovation aimed at reducing costs and improving the resilience and sustainability of fresh tomato production.

TomatoesNZ does not represent process tomato growers.