the world of organic agriculture - Organic Eprints

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The World of Organic Agriculture 2006
Some current statistics:
• Certified producers: Approx 1000 certified producers comprising approximately 820
primary producers, 120 processors and exporters, and 60 certified suppliers of inputs
(fertilizers etc).
• Certified land area: Approx 45 000 hectares certified land.
• Exports: Approx 85 million NZD 18 worth of products exported, growing at
approximately 10 percent per year.
• Domestic market: Approximately 100 million NZD 19 worth of products sold on the
domestic market - approx half of this produced in New Zealand, the rest is imported.
Growth of about 20 percent per annum in the domestic market.
• Kiwifruit: Organic production is about five percent of the kiwifruit sector.
• Apples: Organic production is close to ten percent of the apple sector.
• Vegetables / cropping: Organic production is about two percent of the sector.
• Dairy and meat: Organic production is still less than one percent of the sector.
• Certifiers (approximate numbers): BioGro 500 producers, Demeter 50 producers,
Organic Farm NZ (new small scale producers scheme) 200 producers, Agriquality 250
producers.
14.2.3 Markets
The Domestic Market
New Zealand’s domestic market grew very rapidly over the period 2000 to 2002, by more than
100 percent per annum each year. This growth was due to a variety of factors, but in particular
because of:
• Rejection of genetic engineering;
• The increasing range and high quality of organic products on the market;
• Increasing number of outlets, particularly supermarkets, stocking organics;
• Many people wanting to support organics as being the best way forward for New
Zealand’s agriculture and food production.
Most supermarkets now stock at least some organic products, and some supermarkets are
specializing in organics due to customer demand. Organic shops are increasing in number
and size, with some of the successful organic shops becoming small to medium size organic
supermarkets, and there are now some chains of organic shops. The domestic market continues
to grow but the growth has slowed over the last two years.
Exports
New Zealand’s economy is reliant on exporting, and agricultural products are New Zealand’s
main exports. Exports of organic products have grown steadily over the last 15 years, and are
18 85 million New Zealand Dollars (NZD) = 58.8 million USD = 48.4 million EUR (per 31.12.2005)
19 100 million NZD = 56.9 million EUR = 69.1 million USD (per 31.12.2005)