NZ kiwifruit holding ground in global markets
The fight for global customers by fruit producers and marketers is on.
New Zealand's blueberry industry is celebrating record production this season.
The country's 50 blueberry growers have produced 1.37 million kg of blueberries for local and export markets.
Blueberry NZ chairman Dan Peach says production had been around 1 million kg during the past few seasons and is now steadily rising. "Sales of blueberries have increased dramatically in recent years with promotion and more awareness of the health benefits," he told Rural News.
Production has risen because of land conversions and farmers planting new varieties to boost yield.
Peach, who farms at Matangi, Waikato, also runs a packhouse packing fruit for 10 other growers. Most growers run small operations, selling at their gates.
A few producers account for most of the production. NZ Gourmet, Hawke's Bay, is the largest, growing 50% of the total crop. NZ Gourmet also grows and exports other crop.
Peach says blueberry farming is "a long term deal. "We don't have the same infrastructure as the apple, grape or kiwifruit sectors. From deciding to plant blueberries to getting an economic yield can take up to 10 years."
Blueberries NZ recently said 10m punnets of berries worth $30m were shipped in the year ended March 2016 – 40% more than the season before.
Demand is growing, especially in Asia-Pacific where a 'food-as-medicine' culture prevails. Asian markets have a voracious appetite for blueberries because of the wide range of health benefits they offer, Peach says.
BBNZ is working to open new markets in Asia-Pacific to allow its members to take advantage of the fruit's popularity.
"Few other products can take maximum advantage of the 'NZ Inc' brand in Asia-Pacific like blueberries can," Peach says. "We are uniquely placed with a counter-seasonal supply that enjoys the benefits of the clean, green, safe image NZ produce has in Asia."
Newly appointed National Fieldays chief executive Richard Lindroos says his team is ready, excited and looking forward to delivering the four-day event next month.
More than 70 farmers from across the North and South Islands recently spent a dayand- a-half learning new business management and planning skills at Rabobank Ag Pathways Programmes held in Invercargill, Ashburton and Hawera.
Government ministers cannot miss the ‘SOS’ – save our sheep call - from New Zealand farmers.
A tax advisory specialist is hailing a 20% tax deduction to spur business asset purchases as a golden opportunity for agribusiness.
Sheep and beef farmers have voted to approve Beef + Lamb New Zealand signing an operational agreement between the agricultural sector and the Government on foot and mouth disease readiness and response.
The head of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers organisation NZKGI says the points raised in a report about the sector by Waikato University professor Frank Scrimgeour were not a surprise.
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