Organics in New Zealand
Organics | New Zealand | Standards | Certifiers | Market
New Zealand Organics
New Zealand’s organic sector is rapidly growing. Organics comprise $280 million market share or 2.5% of the domestic food and beverage market, with exports increasing this further another $480 million to a total sector value of $760 million.
Dairy ingredients lead the way for New Zealand’s organic export sector, with around $154 million of receipts. Apples are in second place with $67 million in receipts. Kiwifruit are third with $66 million and organic wine exports have jumped to $65 million.
As exporters of agricultural products, New Zealand takes its reputation for safety and quality seriously – with a sound regulatory regime and internationally recognized and respected organic certifiers. The vast majority of New Zealand’s organic products are transported by highly efficient sea freight.
New Zealand has two IFOAM-accredited organic certifiers, who work with the Ministry for Primary Industries to validate compliance with strict environmental standards.
Certified organic products from New Zealand are exported to markets across the world with major markets including Europe, USA, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, China and other South East Asian countries.
A land of ancient trees, mighty rivers and contrasting environments, New Zealand has an international reputation for being “clean, green and pure”.
A country about the size of the United Kingdom, with 5 million inhabitants, nearly 30% of New Zealand is covered in forest - much of it natural forest estate comprised of indigenous species.
New Zealand is proud to be ‘nuclear free’, having banned nuclear power and nuclear weapons in 1987, and New Zealand’s organic certifiers have a zero tolerance approach to genetic engineering.
New Zealand is a leading generator of renewable energy, with more than 60% of electricity generated by hydro stations and an increasing amount through wind power.
As a developed economy which relies on exports of primary products, improving agricultural sustainability is a key focus for New Zealand’s Government, which was among the first in the world to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and tackle the threat of climate change.
Through geographical isolation, New Zealand has avoided many pests and diseases which are common elsewhere, helping its agricultural products – including fruit, dairy products, meat, wine and honey – gain an international reputation for safety, quality and natural goodness.
About New Zealand
New Zealand Organic Standards
Food safety in New Zealand is underpinned by a sound regulatory regime aimed at protecting and promoting public health and safety, assuring our trading partners that the food we produce meets the requirements of importing countries.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) works with organic certifiers in ensuring that exported organic products meet international standards under the MPI Official Organic Assurance Programme, which provides a path to the EU, Switzerland, Taiwan and Japan markets. The USDA-NOP recognises the OOAP as sufficient to ensure conformity to the US technical standards (USDA National Organic Programme).
New Zealand’s two largest certifiers - BioGro New Zealand and AsureQuality Limited – are IFOAM accredited, and have market access to countries including the USA, European Union, Australia, South East Asia, the UK and Japan, based on the international Codex Alinorm 99/22, the European Union Regulations and the Australian National Standard.
As a developed economy which relies on exports of primary products, improving agricultural sustainability is a key focus for New Zealand’s Government, which was among the first in the world to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and tackle the threat of climate change.
Buying New Zealand’s premium organic products supports farming families and their communities, combining traditional knowledge with technical expertise to operate at the leading edge of high quality, food safety and environmental sustainability.
AsureQuality Limited
The AsureQuality Organic Standard certifies and approves a wide range of products, production units and manufacturers, assuring consumers that the product they are buying is absolutely organic. Organic audits are commonly performed on livestock farms, horticultural properties, apiarists, aquaculture farms and processors as well as on 'inputs' such as fertilisers. AsureQuality is a participant in the Official Organic Assurance Programme.
BioGro New Zealand
Established in 1983, BioGro is New Zealand’s largest organic certifier, operating across the organic production, processing, farm input supply, export, and retail sectors. BioGro trademarks more than $100 million worth of product every year. In addition to its participation in the Official Organic Assurance Programme, BioGro certification provides access to the Japanese market through its Recognised Certification Organisation relationship with ICS Japan.
New Zealand’s IFOAM Accredited Certifiers
New Zealand Market Overview
We have up to date access to 98 countries and markets organic regulations written especially for exporters. If you are seeking information on a market please contact the Executive Director for the regulatory environment for the target market.
New Zealand organic exporters have access to international markets through Organic Exporters Association of New Zealand Official Organic Assurance Programme, which is administered by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Organic Exporters Association of New Zealand actively work to expand market access for New Zealand’s certified organic products, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and international affiliated organisations.