STOP CROP GROW. Hazelnut. information sheet

Transcription

1 STOP CROP GROW Hazelnut information sheet

2 Tararua District Council PO Box 115 Dannevirke Head office 26 Gordon Street Dannevirke

3 3 Contents 1. Why Hazelnuts in New Zealand? Why Hazelnuts in the Tararua District? Crop description Current market profile Potential market developments Land area, yields and potential revenues and returns Risks What can Tararua District Council offer potential hazelnut growers? Market contacts... 8 Acknowledgments... 8

4 4 The GO! Project is a Tararua District Council initiative that has identified several crop options that are highly suitable for the Tararua district. The aim of the project is to provide meaningful information for people wanting to diversify their cropping and broaden their potential revenue base. The information is intended for smallholders, lifestyle block owners and farmers looking for alternatives to traditional crop options. The GO! Project offers the Tararua district community increased opportunities for job creation, biodiversity, sustainable farming systems and increased family business incomes. 1. Why Hazelnuts in New Zealand? The New Zealand Hazelnut industry has been in operation for over 20 years and produces high quality hazelnuts for domestic and export markets. Many areas of New Zealand are well suited to growing Hazelnuts. New Zealand is well equipped to provide traceability for its hazelnut production process and this aspect will become increasingly important as new international standards on food traceability progress.

5 5 2. Why Hazelnuts in the Tararua District? Crop and Food Research indicates that there are large areas on the Tararua District that are very well suited to growing Hazelnuts as a primary crop or as part of a diversified cropping system on small holdings and larger farms. 3. Crop description (See Crop and Food report.) 4. Current market profile a. Domestic According to the Hazelnut Growers Association of New Zealand (HGANZ), there is approximately 430 hectares planted with Hazelnuts. In the future, full production levels approximately 650-1,300 tonnes per annum of hazelnuts can be produced. The current size of the New Zealand market is estimated to be tonnes, made up of tonnes of imported product and tonnes of domestically grown product. The challenge for the New Zealand market will be to grow domestic and international demand for the New Zealand product, based on premium quality, low pesticide use and freshness of product so that growers achieve a good return on their investment and the New Zealand production levels are absorbed by the domestic and export markets. New Zealand based confectionary and baked goods manufacturers predominantly use cheaper imported hazelnuts, in-shell and kernels, as these are currently significantly cheaper than domestically grown hazelnuts. Hazelnut markets are divided into in-shell nut and the kernel markets (see Enterprise Profile Hazelnuts, and AK Consultants Pty Ltd for a description of the two markets.) 1 1 tinyurl.com/7fg3p9f

6 6 b. International The international market is dominated by Turkey, producing 70% of world production. (Hazelnut production: Potential for the Lake Taupo catchment, 2012) 2 5. Potential market developments From Australian research, an alternate market (to domestic sales) that is yet to be explored is exporting hazelnuts in-shell to out-of-season markets in the northern hemisphere. 3 The New Zealand grown hazelnut market is growing and there are active programmes currently underway to expand both the New Zealand and export markets, especially the Asian markets. Part of the success of the programmes is the longer term view that will require increasing grower numbers and production volumes. Both the Hazelnut Growers Association of New Zealand and The Hazelnut Company are actively working to grow the domestic and international markets for New Zealand hazelnuts. Prospective growers are advised to contact these organisations as part of their planning to determine the best channel to market for the volume of hazelnuts that they anticipate producing. 6. Land area, yields and potential revenues and returns The following link is to an Australian government website. The site includes several links to hazelnut production items and this may be of interest to prospective growers. One of the tools available helps you to calculate land area, yield and potential returns. New Zealand growers are reminded to account for the New Zealand dollar and variations on some costs, but the calculations may provide an indication of potential returns over time. tinyurl.com/bmfcytx 2 tinyurl.com/89ugp2x 3 tinyurl.com/7tuycbx

7 7 7. Risks New growers need to consider the following: The current market for domestically grown product is relatively small and the bulk of hazelnuts used in New Zealand are imported. Determining your channel to market should be part of your planning process. There are contacts listed in the Information Sheet who may be able to assist you in your planning. Advice should be sought on the best variety of Hazelnut to grow in your area. The Tararua District Council mapping information and the Hazelnut Growers Association of New Zealand can assist with information and knowledge. As hazelnuts may require application of nitrogen, it is advised that you talk with Horizons Regional Council for advice and information on any nitrogen restrictions that may apply to your area. Detailed information on growing hazelnuts is available at: tinyurl.com/7tsvrfh 8. What can Tararua District Council offer potential hazelnut growers? Tararua Hazelnut Cluster development: Tararua District Council is interested in supporting and developing clusters around the GO! Project crop options, including Hazelnut. A Cluster is a vehicle to link producers to key information and knowledge and creates a central point of contact for other organizations or businesses interested in forming partnerships with the Tararua Hazelnut growers. The Cluster would be grower driven and supported by Council. If you are interested in the Cluster or network concept please contact: Lianne.Simpkin@tararuadc.govt.nz

8 8 9. Market contacts Tararua District Council recommends that new growers, or growers looking to improve their hazelnut production systems, consider the list of suggested contacts that may be of assistance. Information on contract growing is available from many of these contacts. This list is not exhaustive. a. The Hazelnut Growers Association of New Zealand (HGANZ) b. Murray Redpath Wairata Forest Farm Phone c. New Zealand Tree Crops Association Inc. d. The Hazelnut Company Phone Acknowledgments Tararua District Council would like to acknowledge the contributions made to this Information Sheet by Murray Redpath, Wairata Forest Farm and the New Zealand Hazel Company. Other Hazelnut growers and retailers were contacted and their contributions are greatly appreciated.