The New Zealand Kabocha Council (Inc) - NZKC － is the New Zealand buttercup squash industry's governing body, established by government statute as the largest “Recognised Product Group” under the Horticultural Export Authority Act 1987.
The NZKC is responsible for all generic industry matters, including minimum grade standards, food safety and quality assurance programmes, developing new international markets for buttercup squash, generic in-market development and promotion as well as onshore activities such as research and development.
The name “Kabocha” derives from the industry's Japanese origins whereby all seed is sourced from Japan, initially to be grown and product supplied to Japan in its production off-season.
The industry is a multi-exporter one currently comprising of 135 growers, 18 packhouses and 19 exporters.
It is New Zealand's fourth largest horticultural export product, after kiwifruit, pipfruit and onions, with approximate annual FOB earnings of NZD 65-70 million from the export of around 85-95,000 metric tonnes, produced from approximately 7500 hectares.
Currently, approximately 84% of New Zealand's export buttercup squash production is supplied to Japan, 15% to Korea and the remainder to USA and several other very small emerging markets.
The major growing regions (approximate percentages in brackets) are Auckland/Waikato (15%), Gisborne (30%), Hawkes Bay (35%) and Manawatu (20%).
The NZKC's goal in all markets is to identify and support potential business partners, working closely with New Zealand exporters, with its generic promotional activities and materials.
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