22 Jan 2016

Taranaki farmers urged to diversify

11:49 am on 22 January 2016

Taranaki food producers should look beyond the "white gold" of cow's milk, the organisers of a Food Futures conference say.

Milk

milk Photo: 123rf

The conference in New Plymouth was organised by Massey University and and the Taranaki region's development agency.

Massey's vice chancellor Steve Maharey said products such as sheep's-milk yoghurt, goat's cheese and avocados have potential in Taranaki.

He said diversification and innovation was vital if New Zealand was to reach its target of tripling its $30 billion food and beverage exports over the next 15 years.

Mr Maharey pointed to Italy, which is the size of New Zealand yet feeds a population of 60 million, and exports twice as much as food and beverage.

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