Industry
Insights for Industry about trends in economic performance indicators.
-
$252mExport Revenue year ending June 2022
-
$265mExport Revenue forecast year ending June 2023
-
6,210Individuals worked in Arable industries across 2020
-
41%Products are Exported to European Union
Overview
While it was early Europeans who introduced wheat to Aotearoa, it is believed that the Māori northern chief Ruatara was the first to plant it. Despite initial resistance to growing wheat, demand from Sydney, Australia motivated Ruatara, and the first crop was sowed and harvested in 1813. Feeding settlers and supplying Australia led to the expansion of Māori wheat-growing by the 1840s.
Arable farming today refers to the use of land that is suitable for growing crops. In Aotearoa, the Arable industry primarily supplies crops for domestic use including cereals for human and animal feed, maize for grain and silage, grass and legume seeds for pasture and amenity, and high value vegetable seeds.
In 2020, we counted 6,210 people in the industry, with an export revenue of around $252 million in 2022. 55% of Arable production in Aotearoa is carried out in the South Island, with 33% of all of New Zealand’s production taking place in Canterbury. Spread across 180,000 hectares of land, the industry produces 60% of the world’s radish seed.
The industry has a few challenges ahead, including an aging workforce (38% of workers are aged 55 or over), and a lack of clear pathways for new entrants. This is compounded by rolling legislative and regulatory changes by the government, targeted at supporting adaptation and mitigation of the industry in the face of climate change. Opportunities for the industry include attracting new people into the workforce and supporting them to gain the required skills and training to adapt to this changing environment.
Trends and Analysis
This section provides information about the workforce, industry and Vocational Education and Training (VET) provision and performance. It shows data and research focused on key aspects of Muka Tangata’s industry groups and learners. This section is expected to feature regular updates to the data and trends being showcased.
Opportunities
We highlight the current key priorities and opportunities for each industry, and links back to the supporting evidence base to show why they have been selected as a priority. These opportunities will be updated on an ongoing basis as our understanding of the industry evolves and deepens.
Attraction and Retention | Arable
Delivery and Assessment | Arable
Regulatory Compliance | Arable
Roadmap
This is our plan to address the opportunities that arose from our engagement, research and analysis. It includes real actions that we are committed to delivering – these are both industry specific and cross-cutting actions across all industries in the food and fibre sector where common themes emerged.
It includes broader areas or dependencies where external parties will need to provide input into solutions with Muka Tangata support; for example, advocacy, engagement, collaboration, and provision of specific expertise or data. We will work in collaboration with those who will need to take the lead in this area. This section will test potential solutions that we’re working on and seek feedback and input into them.