NZ avocado growers gain FernMark export licence
New Zealand avocado growers have received a major boost by securing a collective FernMark Licence for their exports.
Fieldays has added another feather to its cap - the coveted New Zealand Story’s FernMark licence programme.
Announced today at the Fieldays primary leaders’ luncheon, the government-backed accreditation was designed to help New Zealand businesses stand out in global markets by identifying that they contribute to the essence of the New Zealand story.
Since its inception in 1968, Fieldays has played a leading role in the development of agriculture and New Zealand's economy. A proud heritage and legacy have been built by the many people who have supported and volunteered with the organisation since it began.
New Zealand National Fieldays Society chief executive Peter Nation speaks of what securing this accreditation means for Fieldays.
"For many years, the Fieldays event has grown in stature across the world. Famous for staging world-class innovation and technology, exposing homegrown New Zealand companies to world markets, and staging important networking and international relationships, Fieldays has a reputation for quality, scale, and tradition. Annually, it is the event to renew relationships and partnerships and create new opportunities”.
“Together with New Zealand Story, we can further accelerate our brand, reputation and valued customers onto the world stage, showing that although we’re a small country, we have the innovations and ideas to showcase on the world stage,” says Nation.
New Zealand Story chief executive David Downs says its fantastic to see Fieldays becoming the first event of its kind to receive a FernMark Licence.
“Fieldays isn’t just a national institution – it also reaches diverse international audiences – so aligning with the FernMark is a testament to its role in showcasing our innovation in the sector. Fieldays underscores the ingenuity, authenticity, and quality that our country is renowned for – the FernMark was the perfect fit,” says Downs.
Fieldays says it attracts over 100,000 visitors each year.
Fieldays attracts exhibitors who have also proved worthy of the FernMark licence, such as Zespri, Greenlea Meats, Betacraft, Stallion Ltd, Anchor, AgriSea NZ Seaweed Limited, and more.
"This accreditation now puts the Fieldays brand alongside our valued and iconic export customers. We are proud of this association, which represents the best New Zealand food and fibre suppliers globally", says Nation.
A partnership between Canterbury milk processor Synlait and the world's largest food producer, Nestlé, has been celebrated with a visit to a North Canterbury farm by a group including senior staff from Synlait, the Ravensdown subsidiary EcoPond, and Nestlé's Switzerland head office.
Canterbury milk processor Synlait is blaming what it calls "a perfect storm" of setbacks for a big loss in its half year result for the six months ended January 31, 2026.
More of the same please, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean when asked about who should succeed Miles Hurrell as Fonterra chief executive.
A Waikato farmer who set up a 'tinder' for cows - using artificial intelligence to find the perfect bull for each cow - days the first-year results are better than expected.
Fonterra says it's keeping an eye on the Middle East crisis and its implications for global supply chains.
The closure of the McCain processing plant and the recent announcement of 300 job losses at Wattie’s underscore the mounting pressure facing New Zealand’s manufacturing sector, Buy NZ Made says.

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