From Orchard to Market: The Role of Food Safety in Global Trade
This is an independent piece produced by Vincent Arbuckle, Deputy Director-General, New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS). NZFS is a proud partner of the New Zealand Food Awards.
This year, we saw the results of exceptional food safety systems and culture in the finalists for the Primary Sector Award. We recognise the good work of food and beverage businesses, which means consumers here and overseas can rely on the safety, authenticity, and suitability of our kai (food).
The category winner this year was Next Generation Apples for their Sassy™ apples, a new variety launched in 2023, which is sold in New Zealand, as well as in overseas markets. The apples were developed by Plant and Food Research, commercialised by Prevar and grown and marketed by New Zealand-based growers Next Generation Apples, comprised of Golden Bay Fruit and Taylor Corp.
About the Primary Sector Award
Kelvin Taylor (Taylor Corp), Eleni Hogg (Next Generation Apples), Evan & Louise Heywood (Next Generation Apples & Golden Bay Fruit), Kelvin Taylor (Taylor Corp), Vincent Arbuckle (MPI).
The Primary Sector Award recognises researchers and manufacturers who have added value through the introduction of new varieties, cultivars, or breeds. The category also recognises innovative products, which have been introduced through new or different harvesting, processing, packaging, or distribution channels.
The New Zealand Food Awards provide a great opportunity to recognise the best food products developed through forward-thinking, research, innovation and creativity, and the businesses that successfully delivered them. To be awarded the New Zealand Food Award’s Quality Mark is an excellent tool to enhance a product’s reputation here and in overseas markets.
About Sassy™ apples
Sassy™ apples were developed through plant-breeding techniques to create an early-harvest apple with a crisp texture, high flavour, long storage and shelf life, novel skin and flesh colour, optimal harvest maturity, and pest and disease resistance.
Sassy™ apples are harvested in early February in New Zealand and have already entered international markets including Thailand, China, Vietnam, Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK). The popularity of Sassy™ apples has led to international licensing partnerships in Australia, China, United Kingdom and South Africa with more on the horizon.
About food and beverage exports
Food safety is a key part of the wider New Zealand food story with the food and fibre sector making up 80.9% of New Zealand’s total merchandise exports and reaching over 200 marketplaces around the world.
The Government’s goal is to double the value of New Zealand’s exports by 2034. Maintaining an effective and trusted food safety system is critical to achieving this goal, especially as safe food is one of the key attributes expected by our international consumers.
We also know that a vital part of adding more value to what we produce in New Zealand is to encourage and support innovation and commercial potential, thereby creating new customer demand, new markets, and intellectual property.
How NZFS support food businesses export
We support primary producers like Sassy™ apples as well as exporters, importers, and consumers by implementing the full range of MPI's legislative and regulatory frameworks. We also ensure that all parts of our regulatory systems are working through our audit, assurance, and monitoring functions, and work closely with Biosecurity New Zealand.
Our Exporter Regulatory Advice Service (ERAS) helps businesses to navigate the evolving food regulatory environment with advice, guidance and education to enable businesses to ensure their products meet the regulatory requirements for their chosen markets.
You can learn more about NZFS and how we support the food and fibre sector by visiting our website About New Zealand Food Safety | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz).
For exporting help, email exporterhelp@mpi.govt.nz, call 04 894 0269, or visit Help from ERAS for primary industry exporters | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz).
