New Zealand grain growers to build upon supply chain
Discussions around the role of New Zealand grains being used to support the domestic food and drink sector, including breweries, are ramping up this week.
To celebrate the growing momentum behind the NZ Grown Grain trademark initiative, more than 250 people from across New Zealand’s grain, food and beverage sectors gathered at Gladfield Malt in Dunsandel on 3 June.
The gathering, which included growers, brewers, food manufacturers, researchers and rural stakeholders, also welcomed New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
‘Vital’
New Zealand’s beer industry is said to be “vital” to the prosperity of the country with its brewing industry contributing NZ$3.58 billion to the national economy.
Data, produced by the Brewers Association of New Zealand and the Brewers Guild of New Zealand, has also shown that the beer sector generates NZ$1.7 billion in tax revenue and supports more than 35,200 jobs.
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Contributing to the local economy
Across the market, Auckland has led the sector, accounting for 42% of gross domestic product contributions and 40% of brewing-related employment, with Canterbury and Wellington understood to be key hubs. In fact, the beer industry also boosts tourism and communities with more than “60% of breweries are involved in tourism and nearly 80% offer taprooms”.
The NZ Grown Grain trademark was recently developed by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and was created to help people identify products made using New Zealand-grown grain and also cultivate an understanding of the country’s arable sector.
‘A step in the right direction’
Speaking at the gathering this week, Gladfield Malt director Doug Michael told local press: “It’s expensive to grow crops, expensive to process them, and even more expensive to ship them around the world. The NZ Grown Grain trademark is a step in the right direction. Get behind it, support it, and be proud of it.”
The event also highlighted the many industries that already rely on New Zealand-grown grain, bringing together representatives from across the value chain, from farming and research through to brewing.
For brewers, the initiative is set to also provide another way of showcasing the origin of the ingredients that go into their beer. Supporters have also insisted that increased visibility of locally grown barley can additionally help strengthen consumer understanding of the connection between agriculture and the beers they buy.
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