News Ticker

Future Direction for Sustainable Sourcing?

http://www.sustainablefoodssummit.com Sustainable sourcing has become fashionable in the food industry, with a growing number of companies making such commitments. However, the increasing number of sustainability schemes raises questions about long-term developments. Coffee, the most traded agricultural commodity, has the highest market share. It is estimated that almost 20% of all coffee is now sourced according to some sustainability scheme. Apart from adopting third party labelling schemes, companies like Nestlé and Starbucks have developed their own sourcing programmes. Almost all of Starbucks coffee is now ethically sourced, most according to its CAFÉ (Coffee and Farm Equity) scheme, totalling over 0.2 million tonnes of coffee beans per year. The market share of sustainable cocoa and tea is also rising. The Fairtrade mark is highly visible on confectionary products containing fairtrade cocoa, whilst the ‘green frog’ displays Rainforest Alliance-certified tea. New initiatives, such as the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) standard for sustainable herbal teas, are also becoming popular. As will be shown at the Sustainable Foods Summit www.sustainablefoodssummit.com, other sustainable sourcing programmes are gaining traction because of traceability. The Non-GMO Project Verified scheme is the fastest growing in North America because of consumer opposition to genetically modified crops. The market for certified products has grown from nothing to US $16 billion within 7 years. In Europe, sustainability schemes such as Danube Soya and ProTerra are being adopted by companies wanting to verify their supply chains as GMO-free. A recent development is the increasing number of sustainability schemes for single ingredients. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was initially launched to halt deforestation in South-East Asia. By highlighting the opaqueness of global supply chains, the RSPO has encouraged related schemes for sustainable soya and beef. Backed by the United Nations, the Sustainable Rice Platform was launched in October 2015 as the first […]

FWF after lucrative Japanese market

In the picture: David Musgrave managing director. From Regional Manufacturing a section of NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz Eve Johnson sits on the board of Functional Wholesale Products and has come back into the company as Development Manager. Eve has worked with FWF for 11 years now and was formally CEO. She shares with NZ Manufacturer plans for the future. Functional Whole Foods Limited, based in Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand specialises in the production of high quality, cold pressed flax seed oil and seed meal. The Company formulates these products with other natural extracts to produce and market a range of products with particular health benefits. The products are sold widely throughout New Zealand and a number of countries overseas. All products are made from New Zealand raw materials that are certified organic and are from sustainable production. The Company has established and built the flax seed oil market over the past 20 years and remains the market leader in New Zealand. Functional Wholesale Products is in partnership with The Herb Farm developing and producing a range of healing cosmetics that are building momentum. What area(s) of the business are currently being developed? Our partnership with Japan – we are exploring new avenues and revenue streams in this lucrative market for Flax Seed Oil. New routes to market in New Zealand with opportunities to expand the concept overseas. Does the company place much emphasis on R & D? Yes we do and have worked extensively in the past with Massey University and Crop and Food, Canterbury. More recently with Lincoln University through Charles Brennon. We have found the use of students an excellent R&D find! Where do you export to and where are future opportunities? Japan, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Czech Republic. Future opportunities in the UK and Europe, […]

Foreign investment essential for New Zealand

Foreign investment is needed to grow New Zealand exports and jobs, according to a new report. Foreign Direct Investment in New Zealand, commissioned by ExportNZ and authored by economic consultancy NZIER, says foreign investment is essential to help New Zealand businesses maintain and improve their international competitiveness. The report says more, not less, foreign investment is needed for economic growth, regional development and job opportunities. ExportNZ Executive Director Catherine Beard said more foreign direct investment (FDI) was required to support distribution channels into new markets to enable New Zealand businesses to remain connected to international supply chains. Catherine Beard said foreign investment was also important for job growth. “Today one in five New Zealanders works in a firm that is part-funded by FDI. New Zealand firms part-funded by foreign investment tend to grow faster and pay higher wages than firms with no foreign investment.” NZIER Deputy Chief Executive John Ballingall said foreign investment helped unlock business opportunities and encouraged productivity improvements. “Maintaining an open foreign investment regime is crucial for New Zealand in a global marketplace that competes aggressively for funds. “By being connected and integrated with other economies through FDI flows and sending positive signals that New Zealand is open for business under a sensible investment regime, we can reduce the risk premium associated with investing in New Zealand.” The report shows that most foreign investment in New Zealand comes from long-term trading partners. Currently 52 percent comes from Australia, 8 percent from the US, 5 percent from the UK, and 0.7 percent from China. The report includes case studies of two New Zealand businesses that have been able to grow profits and jobs through business development funded by foreign investment. Foreign Direct Investment in New Zealand can be downloaded from www.exportnz.org.nz and www.nzier.org.nz

MPI imposes tough restrictions on imported seed

The Ministry for Primary Industries has imposed tough new border restrictions to stop contaminated seed from entering New Zealand. The move follows the discovery of velvet leaf in fodder beet seeds imported from Europe. MPI, industry bodies and regional councils are currently responding to an outbreak of the invasive weed in farm properties across the country. “We already have strong border controls in place to stop contaminated seed from entering New Zealand. The new interim measures will provide another layer of biosecurity until we know exactly how the contaminated fodder beet seeds entered the country,” says Stephen Butcher, MPI Manager Import and Export Plants. The new, strengthened interim measures are: An import ban on all fodder beet seed lines known to be contaminated with velvetleaf. The requirement for sign-off by one of MPI’s two chief technical officers before all other fodder beet seed can be released at the border. Subjecting all pelleted seed imports (not just fodder beet) to laboratory testing for contaminants, rather than solely using visual inspection by quarantine officers. “The measures will result in the increased scrutiny of seed imports. And they will ensure this scrutiny takes place at the highest level of MPI, based on specialist advice,” says Mr Butcher. MPI will also visit fodder beet-growing regions in Europe during the coming growing season to inform future decisions about New Zealand import requirements. “We want to review the certification systems that countries use to assure New Zealand that imported seed is free of contaminants,” says Mr Butcher. He says that permanent changes to New Zealand’s seed importing requirements will be introduced following further investigation of the velvetleaf outbreak and consultation with industry.

Dairy industry dragging the chain

New Zealand dairy farmers must act now and use the right targeted genetics to breed cattle that are more resilient to facial eczema. That’s the message from CRV Ambreed’s research and development manager Phil Beatson who believes the dairy industry could learn a great deal from the sheep industry to successfully prevent this debilitating disease long-term. Facial eczema (FE) is not only harmful for animals, but also incredibly stressful for farmers when their stock is affected. It is caused by a toxin (sporisdesim) produced by the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum growing on pasture. The fungus grows in the dead litter at the base of pasture in warm moist conditions, and when ingested by cattle or sheep, damages the liver and bile ducts. Higher humidity has increased the number of toxic spores in pastures this year, resulting in a spike in the number of FE cases in the North Island and parts of the South Island. Beatson says the fact that the Grey Valley has experienced some severe outbreaks for the first time, and this seems the worst for several years throughout the North Island, indicates what the future may hold with global warming. “For every three in 100 cows with clinical FE, it is estimated up to 70 per cent of the herd may have subclinical symptoms. You won’t necessarily see the disease in cows with subclinical symptoms, but it will be damaging the liver and negatively impacting milk production,” Beatson explains. “With climate change, this problem is only going to get worse. As an industry we can’t rely on short-term measures to treat FE any longer. This is already a huge economic and animal welfare issue and genetics provides a long-term solution to the problem.”

Velvetleaf found in Horizons Region

Horizons Regional Council has confirmed findings of Velvetleaf in fodder crop in the Whanganui, Ruapehu and Horowhenua districts. Horizons biosecurity staff have been working closely with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to assist in containing the spread of Velvetleaf and have found 252 plants while inspecting local properties. Horizons biosecurity manager Bill Martyn says his team inspected 125 hectares over the Easter break. “This included all known sites of the Kyros line of fodder beet which has been implicated in the Velvetleaf incursion,” says Mr Martyn. “Unfortunately the majority of these sites, except in Ohakune, are in the advanced stage of shedding seed. Despite staff removing all seed they could find, the rain on Friday and Saturday nights has washed many away and into cracks in the ground.” Mr Martyn says while all known sites of Kyros fodder beet have been examined, there may be other lines that have been affected. “Our staff are proactively investigating other fodder crops, but as we cannot be everywhere at once, we urge farmers to check their crops for Velvetleaf with its distinctive large heart-shaped leaves. We have found it to also look like a dead thistle plant at sites in our Region. “If you have any questions or would like some help checking your crop please give us a call on tollfree 0508 800 800. However, if you think you may have found the plant, please make immediate contact with MPI via tollfree number 0800 80 99 66.” The next steps for Horizons biosecurity staff include contacting contractors and seed reps to isolate and identify the risk areas of farms. “Our staff will also be working alongside farmers with advice for site management into the future. We understand they will be concerned about land use going forward and we will do everything […]

Manuka Honey can be identified

The UMF Honey Association (UMFHA) says recent advances in science mean it is now possible to definitively identify genuine Manuka Honey. UMFHA Administrator John Rawcliffe said, over the past four years, the Association’s members had been driving rapid advances in the application of science using high resolution mass spectrometry to the point where products claiming to contain genuine Manuka Honey can be readily authenticated. “We have a comprehensive database of Manuka and other floral origin samples. These have been collected from across the length and breadth of New Zealand over the last three seasons and can be used to test for Manuka Honey. Once this receives final international verification, testing agencies in all our key markets will be able to use a web -based model to easily check Manuka Honey products as being true to type.” John said the new data set will provide real assurance and long-term confidence amongst consumers and regulatory authorities in markets where Manuka Honey is sold. “This will be a significant breakthrough for the industry, in terms of being able to differentiate Manuka Honey from other floral type honeys. We now understand in a much more comprehensive way the complex array of signature compounds that make Manuka Honey such a special product. This discovery offers the ability to differentiate and position genuine Manuka Honey apart from the raft of ‘me too’ products currently being sold.” John said the new web-based analytical model is the latest innovation to be introduced by the UMFHA, following last year’s announcement at a Primary Production Select Committee of the discovery of the novel compound – Leptosperin – found in Manuka Honey. Leptosperin is one of a number of key signature compounds found in Manuka Honey. It is relatively stable and cannot be easily synthesised. Leptosperin also fluoresces, which led to […]

Synlait nutritional half year profit is $12.3 million

Synlait has reported an underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) of $12.3 million for the first half of the 2016 financial year (HY16). In contrast to $0.4 million in HY15, this improved performance is primarily the result of increased nutritional sales in canned infant formula. “We’re glad to deliver a solid result for the first half of FY16. Our significant investment in customer and product development, people, plant and operating systems in recent years is beginning to transform our earnings,” said Chairman Graeme Milne. “Our core strategy is to partner with leaders in the infant formula and adult nutrition industries. These half year results demonstrate the early success of this strategy and we’re pleased with our pace of execution,” said Mr Milne. Nutritional product sales for the period were 7,498 MT, a 155% increase on HY15’s 2,946 MT, and accounted for 16% of total sales volumes in HY16. “The result we’re expecting is an almost fourfold increase in canned infant formula sales in FY16, compared to FY15. Concurrently, by the end of FY16, we will have strengthened our balance sheet by restructuring our working capital requirements and repaying debt.” “This position provides a base for potential further capital expansion,” said Mr Milne. Managing Director and CEO John Penno highlights the success of Synlait’s partnership with nutritional customer The a2 Milk Company™. “As the sole manufacturer of their fast growing a2 Platinum® range of infant formula, it’s a good example of a strong customer relationship providing a positive return to our bottom line,” said Mr Penno. “We continue to work closely with The a2 Milk Company™ to support their growth and expect this partnership will grow deeper over time. At the same time, we are equally committed to developing all of our customer partnerships.” This includes a partnership with US-based Munchkin […]

Old dirt, new boots: the economics of land, water and people

The evolution of New Zealand’s farming systems towards greater sustainability, and one man’s journey to redefine what it means to be an academic, are the topics for an inaugural professorial lecture being held at the University of Waikato this month. At just 40 years old, Professor Graeme Doole is one of New Zealand’s leading environmental economists. He grew up on a sheep and beef farm in the Taihape region of the central North Island, and has spent the past decade researching the environmental problems associated with agricultural activity on both sides of the Tasman. Professor Doole acts as an economic adviser to the Ministry for the Environment, in a position jointly funded by the Ministry and the University’s Waikato Management School. One key aspect of his role is to help central and regional government develop insights into the economic impact of new environmental policies that will significantly improve the water quality of New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and streams. “Society wants better water quality, but at the same time our national economy is heavily reliant on agriculture. Now we’re faced with trying to reverse-engineer our traditional farming systems, and that’s really difficult,” he says. In recent years, Professor Doole says his academic practice has shifted towards “a more pragmatic economics where I can engage with people and help to solve real-world problems. You’re always hoping that your work will transform the world for the better, even in some small way, rather than just living in a book.” The loss of contaminants from farms into waterways remains a huge challenge for New Zealand to overcome. However, Professor Doole believes researchers often spend too long trying to build complex models, rather than looking for simpler solutions that would lead to quick environmental wins. “We need to ask ourselves, right now, what is the […]

Early autumn a peak period for horticulture injuries

There’s last of the summerfruit to be harvested, Royal Gala picking getting underway, beans, courgettes and peppers bursting out all over the place and everyone’s tired – bringing a heightened risk of accidents in growing operations. Injury rates in the horticulture sector soar during the main growing season and growers are being reminded to keep a close eye on managing health and safety. Statistics from ACC and WorkSafe reveal injury rates begin climbing sharply in January and peak between February and April. Last year alone, 124 people were severely injured in horticulture, with an additional 1,173 suffering less severe injuries. The most common cause of injuries is falls from height, including from ladders, stepladders and trees. Other causes of severe injury and death include being struck by a moving cherry-picker, catching limbs in machinery and vehicles touching power cables. Al McCone, WorkSafe’s Agriculture Programme Manager, says harvesting of fruit crops at height, fatigue and the large influx of seasonal workers, (many with little understanding of safe work practices and some with English as a second language) all contribute to the significant spike in injuries. Although horticulture has a lower incidence of accidents than pastoral agriculture, Mr McCone says the injury rates at this time of the year underline the need for growers to take care during busy times. “I think there is greater understanding in the horticulture sector about the basics of keeping people safe because horticulturalists are more familiar with systems, audits and policies through involvement with programmes such as Global GAP and through being more closely involved with the import and export process,” says Mr McCone. “However this sharp seasonal increase suggests growers need to review how effective their health and systems are during their busiest times. By identifying potential risks in a growing operation, putting in place […]

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