11 September 2006

New Zealand’s aquaculture industry is growing rapidly, but its commercial potential is still largely untapped.

Like other parts of New Zealand’s food and beverage sector, aquaculture supplies global markets with high quality, safe and healthy foods the world’s consumers cannot get enough of. A key feature of the industry, and one being increasingly sought by these consumers, is its sustainability.

Aquaculture’s growth is based on natural competitive advantages which make New Zealand one of the world’s finest locations for aquaculture. These include isolation, thousands of kilometers of pristine coastline, many sheltered harbours and a pathogen-free environment. New Zealand’s Pacific oysters are certified to be eaten in their raw form in Japan.

Nutrient-rich ocean currents create ideal conditions for shellfish, finfish, seaweed and other marine species.

The advantages bestowed by nature are backed by the expertise and innovation of people in the industry, their extensive collaboration, and a legal requirement for sustainable management in all marine activities.

New Zealand’s aquaculture legislation is designed to foster the long-term development of the sector by protecting its environmental advantages.

The New Zealand Government is committed to working in partnership with the sector to help it continue to grow and develop.

The government’s investment promotion agency, Investment New Zealand, has produced a booklet Aquaculture in New Zealand which provides potential investors with an overview of the industry.

“Aquaculture is an exciting new industry in New Zealand with potential to grow, particularly with investment from players with strong market and distribution potential,” says Investment New Zealand’s Investment Manager Hayley Tangaroa. “In 20 years the industry will look very different from today.”

New Zealand’s leading aquaculture product is the Greenshell™ mussel, found only in New Zealand. The other two major species are Pacific oysters and king salmon.

Annual revenues for Greenshell™ mussels are an estimated NZ$38,000 per hectare; for Pacific oysters NZ$35,000 and for king salmon NZ$1.35 million.

Between 1985 and 2005 the sector grew an average of 11.7 percent a year by volume. In 2004 the sector was worth NZ$289 million with sales of NZ$1 billion projected by 2025.

Major markets currently are Japan, the United States, the European Union and Australia.

For more information, please contact:

hayley.tangaroa@investmentnz.govt.nz

+64 9 915 4277