increase font size
Fresh fruit and vegetables account for more than 45% of total organic exports.
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."
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) and the Government will provide support to growers in the Nelson-Tasman region as they recover from a second round of severe flooding in two weeks.
HortNZ's CEO, Kate Scott says they are starting to see the substantial cumulative effects on their members of the two disastrous flood events in the Nelson Tasman region.
OPINION: Industry good organisations have long played a key role in supporting New Zealand’s primary industries.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.
Nominations are open for three positions on the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
A Chinese business leader says Chinese investors are unfairly viewed as potential security risks in New Zealand.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…
