Editorial: Working Together for Results
OPINION: New health and safety guidance unveiled by the Government recently provides farmers greater certainty about what is expected of them when managing risks on farm.
It’s time to finalise the National Organic Standard, unlock export growth, implement a fair model for certification and support growers and producers wishing to transition into organics.
Last week the Government launched consultation on how to future-proof and grow the organic sector by ensuring there is a strong and modern regulatory framework.
New Zealand is introducing a national system to regulate organic products. The aim is to make organic claims more consistent, build consumer confidence, and give businesses clearer rules.
But as Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) says, let’s not lose time debating whether organics works.
The time has come match policy with performance, to back the sector that is delivering economic growth, environmental restoration, and social resilience.
In just four years, the value of New Zealand’s organic sector has grown from NZ$723 million to $1.18 billion.
Exports now total $606.7 million, growing at more than twice the rate of total primary sector exports. Organic dairy and kiwifruit continue to lead the charge, but significant opportunities remain in organic wine, lamb, beef, wool, and horticulture. With targeted support, these product groups can generate higher value returns from the same land area, returns that are proven and recognised in key markets.
The global opportunity is enormous. Consumers in the US, Europe, China and across Asia Pacific are seeking food that is safe, healthy, traceable and ethically produced. These markets increasingly demand verified sustainability and organic certification offers that they can trust. The global organic food and beverage market is expected to reach US$650 billion by 2033.
As OANZ says, New Zealand is well positioned to meet that demand, but only if we act now to remove the policy and trade barriers holding us back.
Only 89,500 hectares, less than 1% of agricultural land, is certified organic.
Certification costs remain a significant burden, particularly for small and medium-sized producers. And the regulatory infrastructure is incomplete, with no finalised National Organic Standard.
The consultation launched last week is a good start. Working with organic sector stakeholders, the Government can turn the fledgling sector into a high-value, low-impact contributor to NZ’s future.
