Services offered

Information

OPENZ keeps its members up to date with the latest developments affecting the global organic movement. Additionally, this website provides an organic export directory dedicated to OPENZ members’ products and services.

Official Organic Assurance Programme

OPENZ owns the Official Organic Assurance Programme (OOAP), which is administered by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) and provides a pathway for organic exports to European and Japanese markets. While non-members of OPENZ are able to export through the OOAP, members have the chance to influence the programme’s future expansion into new markets.

Marketing support

For companies that are ready to export, OPENZ can provide links to markets which offer price premiums of 20% to 100%, depending on the product. Working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, OPENZ provides its members with international market research and insights into consumer behaviour. Since the group was formed, OPENZ has conducted market visits or coordinated national trade fair presences in Australia, Germany, the USA and Japan.

Market access

New Zealand’s "clean and green" image contributes to the favourable perception of New Zealand organic produce among the world’s most discerning customers. OPENZ works to safeguard this perception and to ensure that New Zealand organic produce continues to have access to key markets. In the current climate of lowering trade tariffs, regulatory, non-tariff barriers can present obstacles in emerging markets such as China and South Korea. Working together with New Zealand’s trade officials to facilitate access is one of OPENZ's most critical tasks.

Advocacy

A focus on meeting the expectations of consumers drives farming and food research. OPENZ supports such initiatives by advocating for increased funding and investment to be directed towards research into organic production methods.

Networking

OPENZ helps the organic community to network better, through its Internet-based services and by participating in events such as conferences and roadshows. As organic exports expand, so do the potential synergies among members, and OPENZ is dedicated to bringing people together to share their experiences.

Local support

OPENZ is a founding member of Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ), which provides the organic sector with a unified voice able to engage with the public, government and other stakeholders.

New Zealand organics has evolved from the ground up – beginning with a small group of individuals focused on the domestic market to clearly gain ground within the mainstream food and beverage industry. OPENZ exists to ensure the commercial base for the organics industry is soundly established, allowing those dedicated to organic production to prosper, and setting New Zealand firmly on the path towards an environmentally and economically sustainable future.