Export hopes for $13m hop breeding project

WELLINGTON: Backers of a new $13 million hop breeding programme hope it will bolster exports by creating a signature style of New Zealand beer.

Wellington craft brewer Garage Project and Nelson hop grower Freestyle Farms are committing $7.95 million to the sevenyear project.

The remaining $5.3 million is being provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries through its Primary Growth Partnership programme.

Garage Project cofounder Jos Ruffell said under the joint venture with Hapi Research, it wanted to develop superpremium hops that would support entry into new markets.

‘‘We see the opportunity to develop some unique beers and have them almost be a signature style of New Zealand beer . . . and we see the opportunity to send these hops to some of the top craft breweries around the world and work with them collaboratively,’’ he said.

Mr Ruffell said the joint venture wanted to develop the resources for domestic and export success along the lines of what New Zealand’s wine industry had achieved, by ‘‘elevating New Zealand craft beer to a sustainable global brand that commands premium pricing across all markets’’.

The Ministry for Primary Industries said if successful, the programme was expected to increase hop revenue to $132 million a year by 2027, which was $89 million more than was forecast without the programme.

It said similar gains were expected for the craft brewing industry.

‘‘The coinvestors expect 835 new jobs to be created across the hop growing and craft brewing industries if the economic goals are achieved. A key aspect of the programme is that the intellectual property and expertise it develops will be retained in New Zealand,’’ the ministry said. — RNZ