Bright future for primary sector
A primary sector think tank believes it's incredibly important for the NZ sector to grow exponentially and a big focus should be on developing exports in the 'wellness' space.
Jager told the recent Red Meat Sector conference there is a need for more plant based protein because globally the current protein system is not sustainable. He says New Zealand needs to embrace these new technologies and move forward with them.
What does that mean for meat? he asked.
“The important idea is that the global requirement for protein is going to grow as the population continues to grow. And this means meat is a premium protein hugely valued by consumers and associated with wealthy consumers. People who want to eat meat want good meat.”
Jager believes meat will be highly valued by consumers and we will continue to see strong demand for meat. The job for the meat industry and farmers is how to produce meat sustainably and add value to it.
“That has been the strategy over recent years and it continues to be. There is a lot of work and opportunity ahead of us; there are lots of alternative meats and milks and there will be more of them but that doesn’t mean no future for meat,” he says.
Jager says we will see a great diversity of rich products so in some senses there will be be more consumer choice.
“But our opportunity with meat is to produce a really good product that consumers value and choose positively.”
More talk?
Lain Jager claims that after two meetings the new Primary Sector Council is getting traction and focusing on its work.
The primary industries will hear a lot more from the council in the next two months as it reveals its vision for the future of the sector.
“The worth of the group will depend on the advice we give to the minister.
“[The sector is facing] much change, e.g. technology, alternative proteins and sustainability, and its importance to NZ.”
Jager sees lots of room for high-quality thinking and leadership to take NZ into the future.
