Friday, March 29, 2024

Grain sector sees bold future

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New Zealand is behind other countries in developing and investing in plant-based food ingredients and it’s time to bite the bullet, Plant Research managing director Adrian Russell says.
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Agriculture and the world food supply are in the biggest revolution in history, Russell told the Grain and Seed Industry Forum at Lincoln.

“There’s incredibly exciting times to get into as an industry, things are changing and we need to change with it.

“The rise of the flexitarian consuming less meat is predicted to quadruple global pea protein demand by 2025. 

“We are going to have to accept that and deal with it. It’s going to happen more and more. Flexitarians are here to stay.”

While NZ can’t feed everyone it can feed 20 million people, less than 0.2% of the world.

“So the foods we can produce need to focus on the value.”

But emerging technologies are a key disrupter for NZ, which needs to have a gene-editing debate.

“We are getting left behind.

“Other countries are using it and doing things we could never do using conventional breeding system methods.

“The only way we can do it is to do it offshore – be nice to do it here.”

Russell cited several varieties of peas as key opportunities.

Field pea food products developed by Plant Research are taking off but not from NZ.

“Our peas are grown in South Africa. We got 429.6 tonne off 50 hectares. That’s 8.592t/ha. That shows the potential.” 

Varieties grown in Belgium and France are processed in Italy into pea butter, chocolate dairy dessert and hummus 50% cheaper than chick peas with very little difference in taste.

“Why are we not producing these in NZ? 

“Somebody has to bite the bullet and have a go at it.

“I’d like to think the gene-editing debate is re-opened in NZ and the science is debated in a useful way.

“NZ may be just a small blip on the big radar stream but we need to focus on niche, innovative and healthy products made from plant protein with improved and sensory attributes,” Russell said.

Champion Flour business innovation manager Garth Gillam said the grain industry needs to focus on producing quality, fit-for-purpose grain that meets traceability and social responsibility.

“Cereal grains are going to be something of the future. We have got the quality and available land to do it, both speciality and ancient grains.

“NZ growers are small in scale but innovative and adaptive,” Gillman said.

“The success will be working in partnerships with growers, markets and consumers, managing what we have at the back door.

“Grain is gold. The NZ grains story is extremely powerful with hidden values waiting to be unlocked.”

Champion believes the journey it is on with growers and industry technical support finding new applications and markets for existing grains is building growth and exciting opportunities for the future.

“The changes in global trends with movement to more higher fibre, natural protein diets with increased consumption of whole grains and wholemeals is very evident, not forgetting the growth in the resurgence of the ancient grains category.”

Champion and other companies are willing to grow value in specialty ancient grains and milling wheat volumes.

“We have brought the customer to NZ – the grower is the winner, NZ is the winner,” he said.

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