Column
Katherine Rich, Chief Executive, NZ Food and Grocery Council
What a year! COVID is the gift no one wanted and it certainly won’t stop giving. In the Fast Moving Consumer Goods sector in New Zealand so much of what used to be predictable and free-flowing is now difficult and uncertain thanks to the coronavirus in all its forms.
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2022 NZ Grocery Industry Buyer’s Guide
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ven with the best forecasting prowess few predicted the meltdown of global shipping, 400% container cost increases or that pallet scarcity could all become constraining factors. More than ever food and grocery manufacturers have had to be nimble and responsive to changing market conditions (as well as dealing with all the ever-changing COVID requirements). But one thing remains certain and that’s the contribution and value of the NZ Grocery Industry Buyer’s Guide. This guide is such a valuable resource to all those who work in our industry and as CEO of the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council I am so grateful to Tania Walters and her team for the huge amount of work they invest into the collation and presentation of this Who’s Who in our industry. I refer to my copy of the Buyer’s Guide often because I regularly get enquiries from FGC members wanting to reach out to others to collaborate or to secure a service for new
product ideas. The questions are wide and varied like, know anyone who can contract pack fruit syrups? Any ideas who does beverage canning? Where can I source dried fruits? Can you tell us who makes cans? Or does New Zealand still produce soap?...These are just examples of questions I get and (for those where I don’t know) time and time again the Buyer’s Guide delivers answers and helps me broker potential connections. Over the years I have also shared it with offshore food industry colleagues and been delighted to hear that this serendipitous sharing has resulted in new sales for the firms in the book. The Buyer’s Guide in effect has become an informal ambassador for our local New Zealand businesses providing in one place valuable contact details, and a positive overview of new and established FMCG suppliers. So congratulations again to all involved. Can’t wait to read the new list.
