NZ Organic Producers At Bio Fach The key to future growth will be encouraging more people into the industry." He says the Government's recent initiative, through Industry New Zealand, to provide enterprise awards to companies working towards organic certification will help boost New Zealand's ability to supply the world demand for organics. New Zealand is represented at the huge BioFach trade fair by the Organic Products Exporters Group (OPEG) - which has 56 member organics businesses including some of New Zealand's largest - along with producers of organic wine, honey and kiwifruit and two organic certifying organisations, AgriQuality New Zealand and BIO-GRO New Zealand. Trade New Zealand is supporting the group, contributing 50 percent towards the cost of the New Zealand stand. Europe is a key market for New Zealand organics exports, along with Japan and the USA. Exports to Europe totaled $28.7 million last year and this is expected to grow to over $100m in the next five years. Mr Powell says the companies attending BioFach are looking for new distributors and agents in Europe to drive sales, as well as to increase awareness of New Zealand organic produce amongst the buyers attending. With two certification companies participating, the group will also be promoting New Zealand's rigorous systems for certifying organic produce. BioFach attracts nearly 18,000 trade visitors including buyers from natural products shops, supermarkets, health food shops, farm suppliers and the hotel and catering sector. There are around 1500 exhibitors of organic food, services and natural products. The fair runs from 15-18 February. New Zealand exhibitors at BioFach include: AgriQuality New Zealand - New Zealand's leading supplier of testing, analysis, verification, quality assurance and biosecurity services to the food and primary industries. BIO-GRO New Zealand - New Zealand's leading organic certifier and organic producers' organisation. Chateau Raphael - this Blenheim based company produces and markets a range of organic food and wine and has recently established a vineyard in Marlborough. NZAFRUIT - exports organic pipfruit to eight countries worldwide. OPEG (Organic Products Exporters Group Inc) - the group has 56 members ranging from New Zealand's largest food companies, such as Heinz Wattie's, ENZAFRUIT, the Dairy Board and ZESPRI International to small family run businesses. OPEG members market a wide range of products including lamb, beef, poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen and canned vegetables, honey, dairy products, eggs, grain, baby food, wine, juice, vinegar, flaxseed oil, herbal teas and wool. Paparoa Bee Co Ltd - West Coast honey producer that sources honey from native forest. aitaki Apiaries - produces nearly half of the total New Zealand organic honey crop and also exports organic honey produced by other suppliers. ZESPRI International - produces ZESPRI ORGANIC Kiwifruit and is the largest exporter of organic produce from New Zealand..
|