The soils and topography in Taranaki mean there are significant areas of land that are suitable for grains, legumes and vegetables
The climate is also well suited with a fairly consistent monthly rainfall throughout the growing season. Crops can be integrated into the existing farming system, grown in rotation with paddocks used for grazing or other uses, helping to restore soil, building resilience, sustainability and adding value and diversity to farming incomes.
Several crops have been considered for placement in a four-year crop rotation to provide a sustainable system where soil quality is maintained through restorative crops, inputs are minimised, and disease and pest risks minimised.
Animal grazing in winter is an essential component of a viable crop system and legumes are represented in the winter crops.
Potential summer crops used within a four-year rotation include kūmara, garlic, wheat and sorghum with a range of winter crops. All winter crops involve grazing or forage production, but it may be possible to substitute with some winter vegetable crops. It may also be possible to interchange crops in the summer e.g., maize for wheat or sorghum, sweetcorn in place of wheat. Faba beans as a legume grain crop in place of sorghum or kūmara could fit effectively into a sustainable cropping system.
The summer crops could be used in a pasture renewal system (short rotation) as a crop before establishing new grass. The use of crops that are deep rooting and utilise nutrients from depth (below the pasture rooting zone) may be preferred in a pasture renewal system.
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Sector turnover and growth targets
Capitalising on Taranaki’s temperate climate and fertile soils, increasing market demand both domestically and internationally for fresh local produce and plant-based food, investment in grains, legumes, and vegetables is a significant opportunity.
NOTE: All figures correct as of 2022.
Value of garlic imported into NZ in 2020
$10.3m Largely from ChinaSize of grain maize opportunity
150,000t Imported to New Zealand annuallyEstimated global growth of sweetcorn
5.3% From 2021-2026Compound annual growth rate by 2025
2.3% Predicted growth of global sweet potato marketOur blueprint for grains, legumes, and vegetables in Taranaki
This blueprint provides an overview for commercial production and processing of grains, legumes, and vegetables and their value chain in Taranaki, and an indication of potential returns.
Please note: This blueprint was produced in 2022.
Grains, Legumes and Vegetables event
Venture Taranaki held a community event for landowners, enterprises and investors in October 2022 to explore the viability of the region sustaining the grains, legumes, and vegetables value chain.
The soils, climate and topography in Taranaki mean there are significant areas of land that are suitable for annual or perennial crop production, potentially vegetable, cereal, legume, or bioenergy crops.
Venture Taranaki’s Branching Out project, working with Nick Pyke of Leftfield Innovation (also Agmardt Chair, Pāmu Director, ex-Foundation for Arable Research CEO) have undertaken research to identify crops which could be considered for placement in a four-year crop rotation to:
- add value and diversity to farming incomes
- provide a sustainable system where soil quality is maintained through restorative crops, and
- inputs are minimised along with disease and pest risks.
A preliminary market assessment indicates domestic and export opportunities for these crops. Demand is growing for local market produce, recognition of provenance, food safety and security, and plant-based food. Customer demand, product positioning, and value addition lends to the potential for premium returns. We invited researchers, landowners, and enterprises to share their knowledge of the industry and how Taranaki may be positioned to join the grains, legumes, and vegetable-producing sector of New Zealand.
Leftfield Innovation - Taranaki Farm Systems, Markets & Land Use Opportunities
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Please note that the images shown in the Gallery are not available for public use. If you require images of Taranaki, head over to taranakistory.taranaki.co.nz for free images, or contact [email protected] if you're seeking a specific image for editorial use.