NZ Organic Producers At Bio Fach
Posted 27th February 2001

New Zealand companies seeking a share of the huge demand for organic products in Europe are taking part in Bio Fach, the world's largest annual organics fair being held in Germany over the weekend. Trade New Zealand sector manager David Powell says the New Zealand organics industry has enjoyed spectacular growth over the past 10 years, with exports up from $1.1 million in 1990 to over $60 million to June last year, an increase of 77 percent from 1998/99. "With the current rate of growth, it is predicted that New Zealand organic exports will be worth more than $500 million by 2005. "World growth in sales of organic products is over 20 percent a year, making it one of the fastest growth food sectors in the world" Mr Powell says a key issue facing the New Zealand organics industry is producing enough products to take advantage of this demand. "Many of our largest organic producers can sell everything they produce either here in New Zealand or offshore.

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..