Pollen an export winner

Testosterone supplements made from New Zealand pine pollen could mean a new revenue stream for the New Zealand forestry sector, one supplement company claims.

Carl Meyer, founder of pine pollen supplement company Bio Gold, said the pine pollen supplement industry was worth $4 billion globally. The company was making a liquid testosterone extract and a powdered health supplement.

Bio Gold had received $288,500 in government funding through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund. The ministry believed the market held high value export revenue potential.

Pine pollen has been used for health and wellbeing in China, South Korea and Japan for more than 3000 years and renewed interest had come from the United States and Canada. Consumers believe the product supported the immune system and helped the libido.

The final product was expensive because the seasonal window to harvest the pollen was often less than three weeks long.

The product was selling online for $168 for 100ml of testosterone droplets and $90 for a 70ml immune booster powder.

The pollen was harvested from near Hanmer Springs and Kaiko¯ura from trees on land owned and operated by Nga¯i Tahu Forestry. Meyer did not want to disclose how the pollen was harvested.

Callaghan Innovation had funded a master’s student to investigate the biochemistry and extraction of the pollen. The University of Canterbury had assisted with harvesting trials, and was developing technology for large-scale harvesting.

Steve Penno, Ministry for Primary Industries’ director of investment, said investing in high-value products fitted with the Government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap.