GROW
Organic Growth Consumers and ‘caretakers’ drive organic growth SOPHIE PREECE
“Consumers continue to seek out products that have low environmental impact.” Jared White
MARLBOROUGH ACCOUNTS for 48% of the 2,418 hectares of organic vineyard plantings in New Zealand, according to a new report on the “exponential growth” of organic wine nationwide. The report, released by certifying organisation BioGro, indicates a 300% increase in organic winegrowing in New Zealand over the past 10 years. “This growth is driven by passionate growers and winemakers who are enthusiastic about creating delectable wines and being good caretakers of their land,” says Jared White, audit manager of BioGro NZ and board member at Organic Winegrowers New Zealand. There were 32 new BioGro registrations in 2019 alone, followed by 15 in 2020, and now 235 organic vineyards make up 6% of the country’s 40,323ha total vineyard area, with Pinot Noir plantings accounting for 37% of the organic area, followed by Sauvignon Blanc at 33%. “Consumers continue to seek out products that have low environmental impact,” says Jared. “We are confident that as demand rises, and the overwhelming environmental benefits of organic production become better understood, we will continue to see registration numbers increase.” Marlborough’s organic producers cover 1167ha, or 4% of the region’s total vineyard area, while Central Otago - with 22% of the national organic vineyard area – has 25% (524ha) of its vineyard land under organic management. Hawke’s Bay has 282ha under organic management, 6% of its total area, and makes up 12% of New Zealand’s organic vineyard
area, while the Wairarapa has 14% of its grape growing area certified organic, contributing 6% of the national tally. Jared says the Organic Market Report 2021 shows the organic wine sector is valued at $65 million, making up almost 10% of the total organic market, and is ranked as the third largest organic sector in New Zealand. “This new data helps to round out the picture of the certified organic winegrowing sector, which we hope can be used for further research and benchmarking as we continue to grow and expand.” He says organic wine is a “trending product” worldwide, and many New Zealand wines are making it onto international shelves displaying their organic status. According to the Global Organic Wine Market Report, the organic wine market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.7% from 2020 to 2027, expanding the already considerable opportunities for organic winegrowers, he says. “New Zealand wine already has a positive reputation internationally, and organic certification allows these producers to go one step further by showing their commitment to producing wine of excellence with low impact on the land.” The full report can be downloaded at biogro.co.nz/biogroorganic-reports
A L L A S P E C T S O F V I T I C U LT U R E SERVICES INCLUDE; • • • •
Mechanical Shaking Trimming Leaf Plucking General Vineyard Maintenance
Call Grant on 021 363 983 www.colescontracting.co.nz 22 / Winepress October 2021
