NZ Food and Grocery Council videos

FGC Leaders Series Videos are designed to expose other member companies to the insights and ideas of some of the great leaders and thinkers within the organisation.

In the third video of the Food & Grocery Council (FGC) Leaders Series, New Zealand Country Manager for Nestlé, Veronique Cremades, says consumers buy brands on trust so it’s very important for companies to create a constructive and informative dialogue with consumers.

Mrs Cremades is the new Chair of FGC and is the former Chair of its Health & Technical Working Group.

FGC Chief Executive Katherine Rich says, “In this series leaders talk about all manner of things that affect their business – from health and wellness and sustainability, to talent retention and workplace safety, as well as their philosophies and views on the business climate and latest trends.

In the series so far, Geoff Shaw of Saturn Group has talked about training up the right talent for senior roles, and Sharna Heinjus of Kimberly-Clark has talked about sustainability.

Find all the videos here.

Is non-dairy "milk"`poised to outpace dairy milk?

A trending discussion on the IFT LinkedIn page here makes interesting reading.

New Zealand Food Awards calling for entries for 2016 

Entries opened for the 2016 New Zealand Food Awards on 2 May, calling for all local food and beverage producers to showcase the success and innovation of their products and businesses.

The New Zealand Food Awards, in association with Massey University, provides the food and beverage industry with the opportunity to boost their profile and achieve recognition for their brands and businesses. This year has seen some changes to the award categories to provide more opportunities for businesses to enter.

Winning products are able to feature the New Zealand Food Awards “Quality Mark” to highlight the superiority of their products to both consumers and industry, and boost sales and distribution both here and abroad.

The awards are aimed at both small and large food and beverage manufacturers, primary food producers, food service providers and ingredient supply companies.

The New Zealand Food Awards is a great opportunity to gain feedback on your brand and learn more about how other businesses are being innovative. Entries for the competition close on Friday 15 July. For more information, please visit www.foodawards.co.nz.

2016 Food Trends on Google: The Rise of Functional Foods

Google analyses food trends based on search data and has produced a summary here

Thinkwithgoogle.com

The Australia New Zealand Food Treaty - 20 years on 

A one-day event is planned to be held in Wellington, New Zealand on 1 July that will celebrate this milestone and explore the consumer, public health, trade and scientific perspectives on the challenges that lie ahead.

Confirmed speakers include:

·         - Sir Peter Gluckman – Chief Science Advisor to the New Zealand Prime Minister

·         - Sue Chetwin – CEO, Consumer New Zealand

·         - Katherine Rich – CEO, Food and Grocery Council

·         - Tony Nowell – FSANZ Board and member of the APEC Business Advisory Council

The registration fee for this event will be $100 NZD per person.

Join us on Friday 1 July at the Wharewaka on the Wellington Waterfront.  Mark your diaries, read more and register via the link below. Please register before 11 June 2016. Register here.

Seafood exports reach record high

Seafood continues to show strong growth with exports reaching a record high of $1.713 billion in the year to end March, says Seafood New Zealand Chief Executive Tim Pankhurst. “This is an 11.4 per cent increase on the previous year and an $80 million increase on the previous high of $1.63 billion for the 2015 calendar year.

“Month on month growth of 18 percent in January over the previous year was even higher at 23 percent in March,” Tim Pankhurst says.

The strongest value growth is from exports of frozen fin fish with rock lobster, orange roughy, fish meal and mussels also returning increased prices.

China accounts for nearly one third of total seafood export value. The second most valuable market is Australia followed by the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Spain, France, Germany and Thailand.

“The fact a wide variety of species across a range of markets are in demand and consequently attracting increased returns bodes well for the medium and long term outlook for the seafood sector,” says Pankhurst.  “This is underpinned by a well-managed wild fishery and an expanding aquaculture sector.  “The Quota Management System, now in its 30th year, has ensured stocks are sustainably managed.