Thursday, 11 November 2021 12:55

Organic sector strategy aims for growth

Written by  Staff Reporters
Organics Aotearoa New Zealand’s (OANZ) ‘Taking Action for a Better New Zealand’ strategy aims to contribute $4.7 billion to New Zealand’s GDP by 2030 while reducing climate and environmental pollution. Organics Aotearoa New Zealand’s (OANZ) ‘Taking Action for a Better New Zealand’ strategy aims to contribute $4.7 billion to New Zealand’s GDP by 2030 while reducing climate and environmental pollution.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand’s (OANZ) ‘Taking Action for a Better New Zealand’ strategy aims to contribute $4.7 billion to New Zealand’s GDP by 2030 while reducing climate and environmental pollution.

“Growth in the organic sector is better growth for Aotearoa’s environment, the New Zealand economy and for New Zealanders,” says OANZ chief executive Viv Williams.

She says organics provide an established international market and brand.

“When combined with the energy and vitality coming from the regenerative agriculture movement, organics can make a strong contribution to the future of farming as described in the Government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap.”

Williams says OANZ’s strategy focuses on extension services to support more growers to meet organic standards, alongside collaboration with regenerative growers and researchers to deliver the best of both worlds.

"Active support for indigenous food and growing knowledge, through the Hua Parakore system of Māori organic certification, is also key to New Zealand's organic food story. Hua Parakore is an authentic New Zealand relationship with food and food production that connects consumers with the land in a way that's unique to New Zealand.”

The project was undertaken with funding assistance from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Futures fund.

“New Zealand agriculture has an excellent reputation globally for its natural environment, and for food that is safe, tasty, nutritious, ethical and high quality,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s director of investment programmes.

“This strategy provides valuable guidance for the organics sector on how it can tell its story internationally, how to address current challenges and tap into opportunities, and pave the way forward to grow the sector.”

More like this

Broken record

OPINION: It seems that our friends at Greenpeace are never satisfied.

Organic Bill a long time in the making

The Organic Products and Production Bill represents a big opportunity for New Zealand, from organic exporters to discerning consumers, says Tiffany Tompkins.

Dairy tops organic exports

Dairy has been named as New Zealand’s largest organic sector with exports of $153.8 million, up 55% from 2017.

Organic export market dominated by milk

New Zealand's organic export market has been ‘dominated’ by dairy, according to the latest market sector report released by Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ).

Featured

Controls lifted at poultry farm

Movement controls have been lifted from Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm in Otago, after the successful eradication of H7N6 strain of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Farmers urged not to be complacent about TB

New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.

Editorial: Making wool great again

OPINION: Otago farmer and NZ First MP Mark Patterson is humble about the role that he’s played in mandating government agencies to use wool wherever possible in new and refurbished buildings.

National

Machinery & Products

Farmer-led group buys Novag

While the name and technology remain unchanged and new machines will continue to carry the Novag name, all the assets,…

Buhler name to go

Shareholders at a special meeting have approved a proposed deal that will see Buhler Industries, the publicly traded Versatile and…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Make it 1000%!

OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…

Own goal

OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter