ZESPRI releases industry recovery discussion paper
Date: 23 Feb 2012ZESPRI has announced today a possible recovery pathway from the devastating vine disease, Psa, which would see a broad-scale release of a new gold variety, known as Gold3 over the next three years. While no variety is fully tolerant to Psa, Gold3 (pictured) is showing a good level of tolerance, compared to Hort16A and 45 other varieties from the same kiwifruit species. This has been supported by bioassay results, and also more importantly by observations and experience in the ... more
Wine-testing lab first of its kind in NZ
Date: 21 Feb 2012A Christchurch testing laboratory has partnered with an American firm to provide hi-tech wine testing services in a bid to snare the Kiwi wine industry. Hill Laboratories started as a two-person operation in Hamilton in 1984 and now employs 300 people nationwide with four labs in the North Island city and another in Christchurch. The laboratories service the agriculture and food industries and also provide results testing for environmental monitoring. Managing director and co-founder ... more
Training to keep the Goodtimes rolling
Date: 17 Feb 2012Napier-based food manufacturer Goodtime Foods Ltd has a proud history of producing quality baked goods, supplying pies and more to retail outlets all over New Zealand. Now with a large new contract under their belt, the company is gearing-up to deliver by engaging their staff in industry-based training. Last year it was announced that Goodtime Foods had won the exclusive contract to supply pies and other specially baked goods to Z service station outlets nationwide. “The Z ... more
Goodman Fielder to slash New Zealand jobs
Date: 17 Feb 2012Embattled food giant Goodman Fielder is to axe jobs in New Zealand. The dual-listed company, which cut 300 jobs mostly in its baking division in Australia in the first half of the financial year, has already begun discussions at least one of its New Zealand sites. Goodman Fielder told investors in September it was cutting costs through its programme Project Renaissance and had identified annual savings of $15 million in New Zealand, which it expected to achieve within two years. ... more
Goodman Fielder first half profit slumps 77 percent
Date: 16 Feb 2012Goodman Fielder, the food ingredients manufacturer whose brands include Edmonds banking products and Vogel’s bread, reported a 77 percent slump in first-half profit, and is looking to ditch its Integro and New Zealand milling units. Net profit sank to A$21.5 million, or 1.4 Australian cents per share, in the six months ended Dec. 31, from A$93.1 million, or 6.3 cents per share, a year earlier, the Sydney-based company said in a statement. Revenue fell 3.7 percent to A$1.29 billion and ... more
Fonterra sees growth in organic demand in Asia
Date: 16 Feb 2012Fonterra, the largest dairy exporter in the world, is exhibiting its organic portfolio at the leading organic trade show BioFach in Nürnberg, which opened its doors yesterday. Fonterra’s growth of organic dairy in Asia is realised through products like cheese, infant formula and other consumer packaged goods. Craig Deadman, Global Marketing Manager Organics from Fonterra explains: “Food safety seems to be one of the predominant reasons behind the growth in the Asian ... more
Report sets record straight: New Zealand seafood rated as the ‘green protein’
Date: 14 Feb 2012New Zealand seafood is rated as the ‘green protein’ a report on the environmental cost of New Zealand food production has found. The Environmental Cost of New Zealand Food Production measures the environmental impacts of harvesting wild fisheries with results showing fewer impacts than the production of alternative forms of animal protein. Report author, Professor Ray Hilborn, says that when considering the environmental impacts of harvesting New Zealand seafood an obvious ... more
New Zealand Pork seeks new CEO
Date: 13 Feb 2012After almost six years at New Zealand Pork, CEO Sam McIvor is leaving the role. Board Chairman Ian Carter today acknowledged McIvor’s contribution to the industry. “Sam has had an action packed tenure during which we’ve endured a global economic crisis and domestically the industry has had some big issues to work through”. “Championing the industry’s strong environmental standing, progressing the animal welfare changes and maintaining the ... more
Avocado industry sets export sights on Europe and beyond
Date: 8 Feb 2012New Zealand avocados could soon be exported as far away as Europe thanks to technology that is being trialed by the industry to open up new markets for its fruit. Two thousand trays of avocados were packed into shipping containers fitted with Dynamic Controlled Atmosphere equipment and exported to France in late December, with promising results. The technology creates a low oxygen atmosphere to prevent the fruit from ripening. The aim is to develop new export markets and reduce the ... more
Competence Center for sugar and bioethanol industries
Date: 8 Feb 2012As food and alternative fuel demands continue to grow, increasing pressure is being placed on sugar and bioethanol producers to improve efficiency and process safety in order to maximize productivity. Process analytics can play a significant role in this endeavor. On a new web-based competence center, METTLER TOLEDO provides a range of information that will help sugar and bioethanol producers improve yield at a lower cost. Conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity all have a role ... more
