Leaders behind the Bay of Plenty’s food industry have joined forces for the first time to decide how to drive further economic growth over the next decade.

Around 20 CEOs involved in the region’s food sector took part in Food Bay of Plenty’s inaugural Strategic Leaders Forum on Tuesday to discuss how to leverage the region's competitive advantage in food production to make the most of emerging trends and future export and domestic market opportunities.

Food Bay of Plenty chair Liz Muller says one hot topic up for discussion will be the future use of bioactives and the development of nutraceuticals. These refer to foods or extracts which are believed to improve human health.

“Nutraceuticals is one of the fastest-growing segments of the food industry. Affluent baby boomers in particular, are keen to try foods and beverages that will protect and enhance their health," she said.

“There are huge opportunities internationally for high value functional products using the active components extracted from foods such as kiwifruit and manuka honey. Extracts from waste products such as kiwifruit
seeds and skins also have exciting potential.”

The Bay of Plenty is a major food bowl for New Zealand. Kiwifruit and avocado producers along with leading international companies such as Zespri, Taura Natural Ingredients and Comvita are just some of
those based in the area.

Brett Hewlett, CEO of Comvita, saids the forum is an excellent platform for industry leaders to discuss how to ensure the region's food businesses have a point of difference based on innovation.

“Comvita currently has a global vision and strategy for marketing high-end natural health products from New Zealand and we are investing heavily in research and development to better understand the bio-active
components of manuka honey which will allow for the development of new products,” said Hewlett.

The event was held by Food Bay of Plenty in partnership with Priority One.

Priority One CEO Andrew Coker said those who attended the forum understand the huge influence the food sector has on the economic well being of the Bay of Plenty.

“It is vital that the food industry works together to strengthen their capabilities and plan ahead for future growth This forum offers participants the opportunity to work collaboratively and creatively on issues such
as market access, innovation, new technologies, education and employment,” he said.

More than 14,000 people are directly employed by the food production and hospitality sectors in the Bay of Plenty. Nationally food and beverage exports have trebled in the last 17 years and were worth
$21 billion in 2008.

The forum was facilitated by David Irving – the retired CEO of Heinz Watties Australasia and founder of the Icehouse business growth centre at the University of Auckland’s Business School.

Food Bay of Plenty was set up 10 years ago and is a membership-based industry organisation comprising both large-scale food and beverage operators and owner-operator businesses. It also includes key
service providers to the industry.

Food Bay of Plenty acts as a forum for sharing information and ideas among food producers and processors, and explores opportunities to expand the region’s food exports, create culinary tourism opportunities
and expand local industry skills, knowledge and collaboration.

Source: Food Bay of Plenty