Exports of New Zealand organic food and beverages increased by NZ$100m (US$66.6m) between 2002 and 2009, according to University of Otago data released this week.
'The organic sector contributed a total of NZ$485m (US$323m) to the New Zealand economy in 2009, with organic exports growing to NZ$170m (US$113.22m), from NZ$120m (US$79.92m) in 2007 and NZ$70m (US$46.62m) in 2002,' said deputy chair of Organic Produce Exporters of New Zealand (OPENZ), Dr Michelle Glogau.
'The domestic market for organic products has also grown, and is now valued at NZ$315m (US$209.79m),' she told Voxy.co.nz.
Ms Glogau said fruit and vegetables were New Zealand's strongest organic exports, with the sector valued at NZ$85.8m (US$57.14m) last year.
'Europe and North America continue to be New Zealand's main organic export markets, receiving 37 per cent and 22 per cent of organic exports respectively, but Australia has emerged as the third largest export destination, at 19 per cent,' she said.
