Good news in seed export growth

Federated Farmers is pleased to see exports of vegetable and herbage seeds still rising.

“To see total seed exports rise by 14 percent from 2012 levels shows arable farmers in New Zealand are doing their fair share for the economy,” says Ian Mackenzie, the Grain & Seed Chairman of Federated Farmers.

“What makes the $192 million contribution to the economy so good is that this contribution is heavily concentrated in mid and North Canterbury region, with almost all the production done between the Rakaia and Waimakariri Rivers.

“Dairy is not the only land use that is driving economic activity in Canterbury, and that deserves to be celebrated”

“A key influence on this financial injection to the economy is the availability of irrigation across much of the Canterbury Plains. It has allowed arable farmers to move beyond being a supplier to livestock farmers and make its own mark on the world.

“Canterbury has always been widely known as the grain bowl of New Zealand, but what is less known is that for some time the growers and merchants in the area have been building a reputation for high quality pasture seed, and vegetable seed production.

“That hard work is paying off with New Zealand now recognised as having the foremost industry expertise to produce pasture and vegetable seed for the world, resulting in very good growth in export revenue from seeds.

“This arrangement often requires seed companies in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly Europe, to send stock seed, much of it of a high value and limited supply to New Zealand for growers here to plant and harvest the seed to send a greater amount back.

“The decision by those seed company’s to use New Zealand relies on an absolute trust that their product will be safe with New Zealand growers.
“Growers here are committed to working with others in the industry to maintain that reputation and trust and continue to grow the world market share of pasture and vegetable seeds,” Mr Mackenzie concluded.

ENDS

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