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THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
Small seeds export boom BY MICHELLE NELSON MICHELLE.N@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
Dairying is not the only farming activity powering Mid Canterbury’s economy – small seed growers are also reporting record results. Radish, carrots, ryegrass, onion and clover are just a few of the high value seed export crops grown in the district and exported to more than 60 countries across the globe. Data recently released by Statistics New Zealand put the value of seed exports nationwide at $192 million
for the year ended December 2013 – up $24 million, or 14 per cent on the previous year. Herbage seed consisting of ryegrass, clover and other grasses, accounts for 53 per cent of the total value, while vegetable seed holds a 47 per cent market share. New Zealand is a world leader in seed multiplication programmes, growing for seed companies in the Northern Hemisphere. Federated Farmers grain and seed chairman Ian Mackenzie, who farms in Mid Canterbury, said the accessibil-
ity of water was driving the growth of the industry. “A key influence on this financial injection to the economy is the availability of irrigation across much of the Canterbury Plains,” he said. “It has allowed arable farmers to move beyond being a supplier to livestock farmers and make their own mark on the world. “Canterbury has always been known as the grain bowl of New Zealand, but what is less known is that growers and merchants have been building a reputation for high quality pasture
seed, and vegetable seed production.” Australia is the biggest market for pasture seed. Northern hemisphere markets remain important for vegetable seeds and growth opportunities are strong in the Asian market. The Netherlands is the number one market by value for carrot, radish and other vegetable seeds. “These are high value goods helping to move New Zealand agriculture beyond the traditional mix of meat and dairy products,” New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association general manager Thomas Chin said.
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