Water allocation, usage tops hort sector concerns
Water allocation and storage has been a hot topic of discussion during HortNZ’s grower meetings held recently around the country.
A recently released report showing Kiwis are buying more organic product from their local supermarket is good news.
The news is a welcome message for organic fruit and vegetable growers, says Horticulture New Zealand.
The Organics Aotearoa Organic Market Report 2016 shows continuing growth in markets for organic fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly in supermarkets, up 127% in four years.
"What is good about that figure for horticulture is it shows shoppers are thinking more about what they put in their shopping trollies," says HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman.
"That's a good trend for all the producers serving the New Zealand domestic market.
"Buying organic goes hand-in-hand with buying healthy, and buying local. All of which we are here to encourage."
Horticulture products have always been key to growth in the New Zealand organics sector, which ranges across all kinds of food, beverages and other grocery and healthcare products.
Fresh fruit and vegetables account for more than 45% of total organic exports.
"What we need to see now is support from government to help with regulating labelling of these products, both as organic, and with their country of origin," Chapman says.
"Regardless of the strength in the domestic organics market, it is still totally unacceptable for Kiwi shoppers to have to try and figure out what 'organic' actually means."
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.
Rural trader PGG Wrightson has revised its operating earnings guidance, saying trading conditions have deteriorated since the last market update in February.
It's been a bumper season for maize and other supplements in the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Leading farmers from around New Zealand connected to share environmental stories and inspiration and build relationships at the Dairy Environment Leaders (DEL) national forum in Wellington last month.