Value chain innovation programme

Across the North Island we deepened our understanding and unleashed our curiosity of the mechanics of leading value chains. Led by Hamish Gow and Phil Morrison, this intensive 7-day road trip, organised by Rural Leaders, was focused on strategic analysis and innovation insight.

It was a joy to be part of a group keen to see a future-proofed value chain here in NZ as we continue navigating the global market and, frankly, fight for our place to remain relevant and worthy of global market custom. The ‘curriculum’ is structured to unlock knowledge, networks and critical thinking with a research-based approach at its core. I came away asking: where is there true high performance and where is there true need for concern? And what defines either? Where do we need to pivot and where is it sensible to stick to our premium knitting?

My observations of each value chain

Apples

1. Intellectual Property is the Core Value Driver.
2. Branded Produce: compelling brand stories in FMCG triumphing.
3. Apples in Asia. A willingness to pay a premium for an apple from Aotearoa.

Kiwifruit

1. Growers are genuinely the heart of this industry.
2. Strong culture of knowledge sharing among growers.
3. Innovations and best practices are disseminated openly.
4. Lifting the performance of the entire industry benefits every individual grower.

Dairy

1. Does NZ dairy need to move beyond incremental improvements and embrace the disruptive potential of technologies to unlock new levels of productivity, sustainability and profitability?
2. Or does it stay honed in on exporting the NZ food safety story?

Red Meat

1. Time for an overhaul.
2. The genomics and genetics space is exciting but pace is at odds with volume expectations.
3. Commercial social responsibility is here, but denial is a threat.