Hawke's Bay to the world
Rockit chief executive Mark O'Donnell says consumer awareness for the brand continues to improve each year.
Onions New Zealand Inc says with 75% of this season's crop shipped, the industry is pleased with the direction it's heading in.
"Returns are expected to be up 50% on last year," chief executive Michael Ahern says.
"This means an increase from $81 million to $125 million FoB. This forecasted result will re-assert onions position as the third largest fresh horticulture export item after kiwifruit and pipfruit."
For many years the onion industry has been New Zealand's largest fresh vegetable export earner but has held a lower profile compared to its high-flying fresh fruit export cousins.
"With these types of returns the onion industry is lifting its profile when it comes to capturing government agency attention and assisting policy decisions."
"NZ started exporting onions over 50 years ago and now has 45 markets worldwide. Approximately 85% of total production is exported and all of the major industry operators are 100% NZ owned. In the horticultural sector very few can match these statistics," Ahern says.
NZ is the number one supplier from the Southern Hemisphere to continental Europe. This region accounts for 48% of total NZ exports and sold through major retail chains. In recent years the industry has balanced this trade with Asia. In 2008 Asian markets accounted for 12% of total exports. In 2016 it's forecasted to reach 41%.
"The onion industry developed a strategic plan in 2013 which focussed on four key pillars of Productivity, Export Market Development, Quality Onions and Innovation," Ahern says.
"It's very pleasing to see strong signs that our strategic planning is starting to pay off. We are also a readily scalable industry provided we have appropriate access to markets."
The Commerce Commission says connectivity options for rural New Zealanders are front-of-mind as it begins a formal investigation into the future of the copper network.
Grand Finalists have been selected, all regional finals have concluded, and the journey towards the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final is underway.
Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.
Regional councils are welcoming the certainty for councils in today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) announcement by the Government.
ASB says the decision to sign on to the AgriZeroNZ joint venture came out of a wish to be a part of the solution.
Federated Farmers says changes announced to the Resource Management Act today mark the end of the war on farming.
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