Top 10 Best Farming Companies in Hastings

Why Hastings Is New Zealand's Fruit Bowl

Hastings sits on the Heretaunga Plains, a wide expanse of fertile alluvial soil fed by the Ngaruroro, Tutaekuri and Tukituki rivers and supported by the deep Heretaunga aquifer. Long sunshine hours, warm summers and cool winters create ideal conditions for apples, pears, stone fruit, grapes, kiwifruit and vegetables. Surrounding hill country supports sheep and beef farming. Together, these advantages have made Hastings one of the most productive and valuable agricultural districts in New Zealand, with fruit exported to dozens of countries.

The farming companies in this guide were chosen for scale, innovation, export success, sustainability practices and their contribution to the Hastings community and economy.

The Hastings Apple Story

Apples are the signature crop of Hastings. The region produces a large share of New Zealand's apple exports, and local growers have been at the forefront of developing new varieties prized in Asian and European markets. Modern orchards use high-density planting systems, two-dimensional canopies and netting to improve fruit quality and labour efficiency. Many growers participate in rigorous sustainability and food safety programmes required by international customers. The industry was severely tested by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, which flooded orchards and damaged infrastructure, but the determination and resilience shown by growers in rebuilding has become a defining part of the region's recent story.

Diversity Beyond Apples

Hastings farming extends far beyond apples. Stone fruit orchards produce cherries, peaches, nectarines and apricots, while vineyards supply Hawke's Bay's renowned Syrah, Chardonnay and Bordeaux-style blends. Market gardens grow sweetcorn, squash, tomatoes, peas and beans, much of it destined for processing at local plants. The hill country around Hastings carries large sheep and beef flocks and herds, and there is a growing organic and regenerative farming movement.

The Top 10 Farming Companies in Hastings

1. Mr Apple

Mr Apple is one of New Zealand's largest apple growers and exporters, with extensive orchards and packing facilities in Hawke's Bay. It supplies premium fruit to markets around the world and is known for its integrated operations, from orchard to packhouse to export, along with significant local employment.

2. T&G Global

T&G Global is a leading grower, marketer and exporter of fresh produce with deep roots in Hawke's Bay. It is closely associated with the Envy apple variety and invests heavily in variety development, orchard technology and sustainable growing practices.

3. Rockit Global

Rockit is a Hawke's Bay company famous for its miniature apples sold in distinctive tube packaging. Its innovative product and branding have earned international success, demonstrating how Hastings growers can create entirely new categories in global fruit markets.

4. Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed is a family-owned Hawke's Bay apple grower, packer and exporter. The company is known for high-quality fruit, strong relationships with international customers and a commitment to its workforce and community.

5. Bostock New Zealand

Bostock New Zealand is a pioneer of organic farming in Hastings, producing organic apples and free-range organic chicken. Its commitment to organic principles and regenerative practices has made it one of the country's leading organic food producers.

6. Yummy Fruit Company

Yummy Fruit Company is a Hawke's Bay grower and exporter of apples and pears, recognised for its quality focus and progressive approach to orchard management, packing technology and staff development.

7. Apollo Apples

Apollo Apples is a Hawke's Bay grower and exporter supplying premium apple varieties to international markets. It emphasises orchard innovation, efficient packing and strong partnerships with growers.

8. Heinz Wattie's

Heinz Wattie's has a long and proud history in Hastings, processing vegetables and fruit grown by local contract growers into canned, frozen and convenience foods. Its partnerships with farmers support a large network of market gardening operations across the Heretaunga Plains.

9. Silver Fern Farms

Silver Fern Farms is a major red meat company with processing operations in Hawke's Bay. It partners with sheep and beef farmers across the region's hill country, marketing premium grass-fed lamb, beef and venison to global customers.

10. Progressive Meats

Progressive Meats is a Hastings-based meat processor known for quality lamb and beef and its focus on innovation in processing and product development. It provides an important outlet for local livestock farmers.

What Makes These Farming Companies Stand Out

The leading farming companies in Hastings share several qualities. They invest in new varieties and growing systems that deliver better fruit and higher returns. They build long-term relationships with international customers based on consistent quality, food safety and reliable supply. Many have embraced sustainability certification, biodiversity planting, water efficiency and reduced chemical use, responding to the expectations of export markets and local communities alike. They are also major employers, providing jobs for thousands of permanent and seasonal workers, and many support local schools, sports clubs and community initiatives. For people considering careers in the primary sector, these businesses offer opportunities in orchard management, food technology, engineering, logistics, marketing and research, making farming in Hastings far more diverse and technologically advanced than many people realise.

Farming Trends in Hastings

Automation, robotics and data are transforming orchards, with robotic platforms, automated harvesting trials and sensor-driven irrigation becoming more common. Water management and climate resilience are top priorities, prompting investment in storage, flood protection and drought-tolerant practices. Regenerative and organic farming continue to grow, and labour remains a key challenge addressed through seasonal worker schemes and technology.

Conclusion

Hastings farming companies combine world-class growing conditions with innovation, resilience and a deep commitment to quality. These ten businesses help feed the world and sustain the prosperity of the Hawke's Bay community.