Onion exports were worth up to $100 million a year and growing strongly in both traditional markets in European Union countries as well as in emerging markets such as Japan.
Vietnam also held promise once phytosanitary issues were sorted out.
Guy said forming a strong partnership to work collectively on any biosecurity threat to the crop was a momentous occasion for Onions NZ and a very important one for MPI.
The value of all parties sitting around the table and working out a joint response to any pest incursion had been seen clearly with the recent fruit fly alert in Auckland.
Onions NZ chief executive Michael Ahern said 85% of NZ onions were shipped and sold in global markets.
The vegetable was third equal with avocados in rank as the largest fresh horticulture export crop.
About 215,000 tonnes were produced from 5000 hectares with Pukekohe supplying more than half. Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, Manawatu and Horowhenua were all significant growing areas.
GIA secretariat manager Steve Rich said unwanted organisms were some of the biggest potential threats facing NZ’s primary industries.
“As NZ trade and tourism continues to grow, the GIA partnership will have a critical role to play in helping to manage NZ’s biosecurity system.”
Organisations representing the kiwifruit, pipfruit, equine and pork sectors along with MPI representing the Government had already signed up as GIA partners.
