Seafood exports reach $1.63 billion

New Zealand seafood exports reached a record high of $1.63 billion last year, up over 6% on 2014.

The growth was most pronounced in the final two months of the year, says Chief Executive Tim Pankhurst lifting total growth for the year to 6.6%.

“A significant part of this growth was from Greenshell™ Mussel exports as new season supplies became available. Three hundred tonnes of mussels were shipped to Korea in December compared with 97 tonnes in the same period in 2014."

Total exports to Korea grew by 11.6% last year and  to China grew by 14.9%. Exports to the United States also showed strong growth of 12.2%.

"These results are a testament to the work of the many players in the industry - from those who go out every day to fish and farm, to the people employed in processing and preparing our product for export and those who market our products to the world" he continued. "The long term outlook for New Zealand’s seafood industry is bright as discerning consumers around the world are increasingly looking for high quality, sustainably harvested seafood. New Zealand seafood ticks those boxes."

Study on milk, mortality and bone fractures discredited

From a note from the Director General of IDF

In the northern autumn of 2014, milk received a lot of negative attention due to a Swedish cohort study (Michaëlsson et al., 2014: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25352269) that found a link between consumption of milk and mortality and bone fracture among women. Many researchers have criticised the study, primarily because of its the small number of dietary registrations. Also, the results from the study are almost opposite of what similar studies have found.

A new publication (Larsson et al., 2015: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26378576) that shares two co-authors with the Swedish cohort study reviews the most recent investigations on milk and mortality, concluding that they found ‘no consistent association between non-fermented or fermented milk consumption and mortality’.

Thus, negative comments about milk related to the Swedish cohort study can be refuted by referring to the follow up review which took into account more studies and did not support the conclusion of the cohort study.

The IDF National Committee of Denmark alerted IDF to this follow-up study.

Nico van Belzen, PhD, Director General, IDF

Remember the Dunedin, 1882

Yesterday was National Lamb Day – celebrating a turning point in New Zealand’s history which kick-started an industry that today contributes $8.5 billion to the economy annually.

On 15 February in 1882, William Davidson and Thomas Brydone despatched the first shipment of frozen sheep meat from Port Chalmers in Otago on the Dunedin, bound for London.

The 5,000 sheep carcasses arrived in London 98 days later in excellent condition, an amazing accomplishment in the 19th century. Prior to this, New Zealand mainly sold wool overseas as no one believed it possible to have a thriving meat export business.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand CEO, Rod Slater says as a nation we should be proud those around the world recognise New Zealand for our world-class lamb. “Not many people realise this but 95% of our lamb is exported - the demand for our product is huge.

Survey reveals US consumers’ most trusted CPG brands

Do the results mirror New Zealanders’ actions?

Market research firm BrandSpark International has announced the 2016 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards winners for consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. The results were based on the annual BrandSpark American Shopper Study in which more than 38,000 shoppers voted for the winning food and beverage, health and beauty, household, and kids’ brands. Survey participants named the CPG brands that they consider their “most trusted” in 26 food and beverage categories.

According to the survey, 68% of American shoppers will try new products from the brands they trust most. Additionally, 67% try to purchase their trusted brand names on sale rather than buy generic or store brand versions. However, it should be noted that 43% of Americans are less loyal to brands than they were in the past, making it even more important for marketers to remind shoppers of the trusted relationship they’ve enjoyed with the brand’s products in the past.

At the top of the list, 70% of ketchup buyers named Heinz as their top brand, while Gerber is the go-to brand for baby food for 58% of American parents with a baby at home. Relatively young brands like Monster (energy drink) and Silk (non-dairy milk) rose to the top through innovation, expanding their category, and strong share of voice in the market, ensuring their target consumers experienced their products.

The survey also revealed that while trust is important to any purchase decision, it is most important for baby and children’s products and pet food. In addition, butter tops the list with 66% regularly sticking with their preferred brand name. Baby food, yogurt, and hot sauce are other categories where 2 in 3 shoppers prefer to stick with their top brands.

A table is here

2016 New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards.

Top critics from USA, UK and Australia will join local experts to judge more than 420 entries over a two-day competition this month.

Master Judge Russell Smith, one of Australasia’s most experienced international cheese judges and educationalists, said, “This year we have John Antonelli, Lee Smith, Clare Ferguson and Ueli Berger joining 27 local experts to provide a robust and talented panel.”

New Zealand’s largest exporters, small artisan cheesemakers, home-crafted cheeses and yoghurt and butter producers will vie for the highly regarded 23 champion titles. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner at The Langham in Auckland on Tuesday 1st March.

On Wednesday 2nd March the public are invited to sample award-winning cheeses from all over New Zealand and meet the cheesemakers who produce them. Countdown CheeseFest, billed as at the ultimate event for cheese lovers, takes place at The Langham from 5pm to 8:30pm. Tickets are available for $30 per person at www.eventfinder.co.nz or $35 at the door.