Growth in chocolate, cherries

Cherries and chocolate are among the leading areas of growth for the New Zealand food and beverage sector, according to a new report.

The findings were launched at Massey University’s Manawatu¯ campus as part of New Zealand Agrifood week on Wednesday.

The report, by consulting company Coriolis, highlights parts of the food and beverage industry that are trending upwards.

Minister for Economic Development David Parker said it was important due to the significant influence the industry has on New Zealand’s economy.

‘‘It is pretty clear that food and beverage will continue to one of the major export earners for New Zealand,’’ he said. ‘‘It is going to continue to be a major employer, both directly and indirectly. It is key in most regional economies.’’

Coriolis director Tim Morris said the report showed the changing face of the food industry.

‘‘New Zealand’s food industry is getting more and more complex and that is a good thing. That is how you add value,’’ he said.

Cherries, chocolate bars, infant formula, honey, dog and cat food, chilled salmon, breakfast cereal, muesli bars, flavoured beverages, and non-sweetened and innovative foods, were the best-performing categories in the report.

Morris said the cherry industry was extremely promising. ‘‘New Zealand can bring cherries on and air-freight them to China right before Chinese New Year.’’

He added that chocolate was still performing well despite the exit of Cadbury.

Sam Robinson, head of the report’s advisory panel, said the industry was focused on producing goods for ‘‘wealthy consumers’’.

‘‘We are not feeding people that need food to survive, which we used to do back in the day of the British Empire.’’