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Discover Marlborough's Horticulture
Marlborough has a long history of horticultural production.
The high sunshine hours and reliable weather pattern, combined with the widespread use of irrigation, provide excellent growing conditions and opportunities for crop diversification. In particular, the hot summers combined with cool winter temperatures are ideal for crops which require winter chilling and the combination of high light intensities, long growing season and soil types result in produce of unique quality. While horticulture production is now dominated by wine production, a broad range of other crops continue to be grown.
Marlborough’s horticultural industry is supported by the Marlborough Research Centre, and Crown Research Institutes. The aim of the centre is to ensure sustainable use of natural resources through innovative research, technical development and the transfer of knowledge.
Vegetable crops
After grapes, vegetable production including peas, sweet corn, asparagus and garlic is the next largest crop type. Sweet corn and peas are grown for processing at Talley’s Renwick plant. Garlic is processed and exported, predominantly around the Asia-Pacific region by several locally based companies.
Olives
Growing olives in Marlborough is a recent development, with the first trees planted in the late 1980s with continuing development since.
The majority of trees are planted for oil production, and growth of the industry can be attributed to the extremely high quality oils being produced. With free acid levels well below 1% and varietal flavours intense in this cool climate area, the olive industry looks set to mirror production of wines in Marlborough, which have achieved global recognition for excellence.
The free draining soils of Marlborough's river valleys provide ideal growing conditions for the olive tree. Being less reliant on water and spraying than grapes the olive tree has the potential to be grown organically and is seen by some to be a more sustainable proposition than grapes.
Groves generally include a number of varieties, and growers intend to develop unique blends, assisted by the world’s highest light intensity levels. These blends will be branded for the region, at the top end of local and export markets. It is likely that fruit for pickling will also achieve excellence. Oil production through a number of local processing facilities is set to increase as production increases.
Export markets have been developed with the USA, Japan and South Asia showing the greatest potential. Exports are forecast to expand dramatically over the next 5 years. Tourism, in particular, olive oil tastings in association with the wine industry, is seen as the greatest potential for growth in the locally produced product.
Worldwide interest in the health benefits of olive oil and pickled olives is increasing and demand for quality olive oil has resulted in the expansion of markets. In Marlborough, growers are in a uniquely well placed position to develop the olive industry and produce some of the world’s best oils by adopting modern management practises.
Pip & stone fruit
High quality pip and stone fruit such as apples, pears and cherries all make a contribution to the region's exports.
Food Processing
Talley’s Frozen Foods Ltd has the largest vegetable processing plant in Marlborough, producing ten different varieties of vegetables. Some of these are grown on the farms owned by Talley’s Vegetable Division, but the main crops are supplied by contract farmers.
The company uses fully integrated growing and processing operations to control planting, harvesting, processing, freezing, packing and cold storage. The product is packed under various brands, the main export markets being Australia and Japan.
The Blenheim plant also has a shellfish division processing half shell and mussel meat for export. These are harvested from mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds.
Horticulture Statistics
PIP FRUIT
Total New Zealand pipfruit exports exceeded $501 million in 1999 (Source - Hort+Research NZ Ltd)
OLIVES
Olive Statistics
| Area planted in trees (in hectares) |
500+ |
| Number of units |
160,000+ |
| Marlborough’s Share of Market |
| % of NZ olive industry |
65% |
| % export |
10% |
Annual input into the Marlborough economy (after 2005) will exceed the $1m mark. The groves are currently generating 80-100
full-time employment positions, which will significantly increase, as the groves reach full maturity.
Contacts
Marlborough Wine Research Centre
Private Bag 1007, Blenheim
Phone 03 577 2370
Fax 03 578 0153
E-mail: enquiries@wineresearch.org.nz
Web: http://www.wineresearch.org.nz
New Zealand Olive Association (Marlborough Branch)
Phone: +64 3 572 2570
Fax: +64 3 572 2590
Email: marlborough@olivesnz.org.nz
Web: www.olivesnz.org.nz
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 3318
Richmond, Nelson
Phone: +64 3 543 9184
E-mail: nick.dalgety@maf.govt.nz
Web: www.maf.govt.nz
Marlborough Regional Development Trust
PO Box 551
Blenheim
Phone: +64 3 577 5203
Fax: +64 3 579 5203
Email: trust@mrdt.co.nz
Marlborough Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 658
Blenheim
Phone: +64 3 577 7347
Fax: +64 3 579 5203
Email: enquiries@mcoc.org.nz
Web: www.mcoc.org.nz
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