Sustainability attributes set to play increasing role in Chinese food choices – NZ hort industry informed
New Zealand’s horticultural sector will need to keep a close eye on the role sustainability attributes play in the
purchasing decisions of Chinese consumers if it is to maximise returns from the rapidly-growing Chinese fruit and
vegetable market, according to Rabobank’s senior horticultural analyst Hayden Higgins.
Speaking at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference in Christchurch last week, Mr Higgins said, while food safety,
quality and nutrition credentials were currently the most significant factors influencing Chinese consumers’ food
purchasing decisions, awareness of other product characteristics, including sustainability attributes, such as water
usage and emissions, was growing.
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