Producers are missing out on millions of dollars in off-shore earnings from the sale of their food and beverages, according to one industry chairman.
Dr Russell Ballard, independent chairman of the Plant Market Council of New Zealand, says research has shown that exports worth $23.3 billion when they leave this country sell for between $140billion and $200 billion.
Nadia Lim, NZ Avocado Ambassador, cook, dietician and author, talks about the nutritional values of avocado at the New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers Conference in Tauranga.
He told the New Zealand and Australian Avocado Growers Conference in Tauranga yesterday that it's a six fold value, which mostly goes to others and does not flow back to New Zealand producers.
'New Zealand must find the capital to get involved in the supply chain (off shore).”
'If doing so captured just 25 per cent extra in earnings that would equate to an additional return of around $60 billion,” he says.
New Zealand producers also need to get closer to their customers and invest more in research and development.
The avocado industry is doing well with its growth but still faces issues, including the number of exporters competing with each other in markets. The Avanza brand model of co-operation between exporters in Asia is a positive step, he says.
Nadia Lim, NZ Avocado Ambassador, cook, dietician and author, told the conference eating one avocado a day has significant health benefits and demonstrated how to make an avocado smoothie. Teaching people to use avocados more widely in their diet would have significant health benefits, she says.
The conference, which continues today, has attracted more than 400 growers and industry representatives from Australia and New Zealand keen to hear leading speakers address a wide range of issues affecting their industry, from irregular bearing of crops, to pests and disease, to marketing and most of all, the latest findings on the health and wellness values of avocado.
Dr Russell Ballard, independent chairman of the Plant Market Council of New Zealand.
1 comment
Missed sales opportunities
Posted on 11-09-2013 16:50 | By Pamaxx
Where are the sales entrepreneurs in the BoP? Obviously managers here think by filling containers with products and shipping them overseas their task is done. Where are the BoP's creative sales managers who can squeeze the extra dollars out of their product by getting closer to their retail market. Its not rocket science, surely the marketing co-operatives can formulate a commission sales structure and some innovative sales presentations to lift sales to their retail consumers. The Bay is crying out for new business and jobs for our citizens what about creating a sales force tasked with increasing the value add to our locally produced products. Overseas travel and missionary sales expenses are tax deductible so where's the problem? Max Lewis, Mt Maunganui.
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