The Organics Aotearoa Organic Market Report 2016 shows continuing growth in markets for organic fresh fruit and vegetables, particularly in supermarkets, up 127% in four years.

“What is good about that figure for horticulture is it shows shoppers are thinking more about what they put in their shopping trollies. That’s a good trend for all the producers serving the New Zealand domestic market,” HortNZ chief executive, Mike Chapman, says.

“Buying organic goes hand-in-hand with buying healthy, and buying local.  All of which we are here to encourage.” 

Horticultural produce has always been key to growth in the New Zealand organics sector, which ranges across all kinds of food, beverages and other grocery and healthcare products. Fresh fruit and vegetables account for more than 45% of total organic exports.

“What we need to see now is support from government to help with regulating labelling of these products, both as organic, and with their country of origin. Regardless of the strength in the domestic organics market, it is still totally unacceptable for Kiwi shoppers to have to try and figure out what ‘organic’ actually means,” Chapman adds.