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.
According to the latest Federated Farmers banking survey, farmers are more satisfied with their bank and less under pressure, however, the sector is well short of confidence levels seen last decade.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.

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