Thursday, 28 November 2024 19:38

Honey industry group set to merge

Written by  Peter Burke
ApiNZ chair Nathan Guy. ApiNZ chair Nathan Guy.

A big shakeup in the honey sector is about to take place with the news that the industry good body, ApiNZ, and the export focused Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association are looking to merge to form a new industry body.

The chair of ApiNZ, Nathan Guy told Rural News that his organisation is no longer financially sustainable because its funding model  is based on a voluntary membership. He says as honey returns have dropped so has the membership income that’s meant that the board of ApiNZ have made to make some hard decisions.

“These include reducing staff, relinquishing the office in Wellington and sharing desk with other organisation around the city while still maintaining  a real focus on its strategy.  A key pillar of this  is about creating a united industry which is why we believe it is important to merge with  UMFHA  and create a new organisation,” he says

Guy says the new organisation will still have a voice for beekeepers on such things as bee health and advocacy to government but by joining up with UMFHA will have a strong export focus. He says the merger makes common sense and the leadership in both organisations can see the value in it – especially have a financially viable entity that will be able to deliver on the industry strategy which is to double the value of honey exports by 2030.

The industry has had a rollercoaster ride over many years with fluctuating prices and some honey simply unsold.

Members of both organisations are now being consulted on the proposal and the intention is to have the new entity in place by April 2025. In the meantime a whole range of issues relating to the proposed merger including membership and governance structure.

More like this

Featured

Editorial: A new era for two co-ops

OPINION: Farmer shareholders of two of New Zealand's largest co-operatives have an important decision to make this month and what they decide could change the landscape of the dairy and meat sectors in New Zealand.

South Taranaki rural health hub boosts workforce

As the first of a new series of interprofessional rural training hubs opened in South Taranaki late September, Rural Health Network has celebrated the move as a "key pathway to encourage the growth and retention of health professionals in rural areas".

National

Machinery & Products

Disc mower range gets upgrade

Kuhn has announced an expansion of its range of disc mowers, distributed by Norwood in New Zealand, with the addition…

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Quid prod quo?

OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…

Deadwood

OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter