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RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
More work needed to protect prime horticultural land, says industry
Photo: Supplied The horticulture industry says more work is needed to protect prime horticultural land. New research looking at the ability to get by with domestic production if global food supply chains are disrupted ranked New Zealand was one of the most self-sufficient countries. The paper, published in the journal Nature Food , analysed 186 countries ability to feed their citizens and achieve dietary guidelines if supply chains were disrupted by trade tariffs, wars, pandemics or other crises. The research found over a third of countries cannot meet self-sufficiency for more than two of the seven essential food groups, while New Zealand was fully self-sufficient in five of the seven - fruit and vegetable, meat, dairy, fish and seafood supply - but would struggle to produce enough starchy staples and legumes, nuts and seeds. Industry group United Fresh spokesperson Dr Hans Maurer told Morning Report while the report bodes well for New Zealand's food security, there's an imbalance in protecting prime horticultural land, citing housing development at Pukekohe. "[That's] very good volcanic land and a lot of that land over the last twenty years has been built up with new housing," he said. "Horticulture - particularly the protection of vegetables - is very dependent on land that can be intensively farmed. We have plenty of land in this country, but not land of the same quality of Pukekohe or Horowhenua, where the soils are just ideal." Dr Maurer said the industry was working with the government on new legislation. "We need to create a legal framework that protects production," he said. New Zealand has traditionally "boxed above it's weight" when it came to the adoption of technology and innovation, he said. "You only need to look at the kiwifruit industry or the way the apple industry has maintained its edge globally." But he said there needs to be continued investment, especially as new on-farm and orchard technologies come online, including artificial intelligence. New Zealand's reliance on seasonal labour was also problematic, as it would become harder to come by as the population aged, he said. United Fresh figures showed the country's fresh fruit and vegetable exports reached $4.3 billion dollars last year, an increase of 8 percent from 2023. The group said there was an industry-wide push underway to increase horticulture production, with an aim of doubling the farmgate return by 2036. Consumers spent roughly $1.3 billion dollars on New Zealand-grown produce in 2024. While shoppers were increasingly suffering from sticker shock at the price of some produce, the sector is heavily impacted by other markets, particularly energy and gas, instability in those markets puts a lot of pressure on supply chains. Maurer stressed the weather dependent nature of the industry, including challenges from extreme weather events, pests and diseases, noting that last month's widespread flooding in the Nelson Tasman region will impact next season's apples. Despite New Zealand's relatively good showing in the research, a map summarising the results contained a significant glitch - the country did not feature at all. "That is not a reflection of the work that has been done, they certainly analysed New Zealand as well," Maurer said. The researchers had apologised for the unintentional omission, he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
What happens if food imports and exports between countries suddenly stopped?
Less than half the countries surveyed produce sufficient nuts and seeds. — Pixabay What would happen if food imports and exports between countries suddenly stopped? Researchers have looked at this hypothetical situation to assess the food self-sufficiency of countries around the world. According to their estimates, only one nation would be able to feed its population in seven food categories if this catastrophic scenario were to occur. Published in the journal Nature Food, the study was conducted by researchers from the University of Göttingen (Germany) and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). They used data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to assess the ability of 186 countries to supply themselves with legumes, nuts and seeds, vegetables, fruit, starchy foods, dairy products, meat, and fish. Taking these seven major food categories into account, only one country on the list would be capable of self-sufficiency, ie, capable of providing food for its inhabitants across all seven categories without depending on other countries. This is Guyana, a South American country with a population of around 800,000. Next come China and Vietnam, which would be able to supply themselves with six out of seven food categories. Out of 186 countries, 154 can meet the requirements of two to five of the seven food groups. But overall, the picture is worrying. Only one country in seven is self-sufficient in five or more food groups. Most of these nations are located in Europe and South America. The other countries have low production and depend almost exclusively on a single trading partner for more than half of their imports. 'Low self-sufficiency and overdependence on a few countries for imports threaten their capability to respond to global shocks, particularly for small states,' the report states. Worse still, some countries are unable to achieve self- sufficiency in any of the food groups studied. This is the case in Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Macao, Qatar, and Yemen. Establishing more resilient supply chains This finding is all the more alarming given the recent restrictions imposed by the United States since Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025. 'International food trade and cooperation is essential for healthy and sustainable diets. However, heavy reliance on imports from single countries can leave nations vulnerable. Building resilient food supply chains is imperative for ensuring public health,' cautions the study's first author, Jonas Stehl, a researcher at the University of Göttingen, quoted in a news release. The need for nations to be self-sufficient is also crucial in tackling the climate crisis. While a large majority of European countries overproduce meat and dairy products, demand for these foods is very low in African countries. Less than half of countries produce enough foods such as beans and peas, as well as nuts and seeds, while only a quarter produce enough vegetables to meet domestic demand. 'Climate shocks are reshaping the agriculture sector and will continue to intensify. Open trade and innovation are essential to secure healthy, low-carbon diets,' says study co-author, Alexander Vonderschmidt, PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems. — AFP Relaxnews
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
There is only one country in this world which can produce all its food
When the world is grappling with the issue of social injustice, poverty, climate change, and growing food insecurity, a new study has revealed a jaw-dropping truth: Only one country on the entire planet Earth can produce all it food it needs to feed its people without relying on imports. A study published in Nature Food and highlighted by Science Focus revealed that out of 186 countries, only Guyana can produce enough food to feed its population across all seven key food groups completely. They are very much capable of producing fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, meat, and even starchy staples. (BBC Science Focus report) Why does this matter? Well, the global food chain is fraying. Between trade wars, climate chaos, and pandemics, any of these shocks again could entirely smack a nation. Yet, Guyana appears buffered. Even countries like Vietnam and China are behind, being able to produce only food in six out of seven food groups, but Guyana is at a solid 7/7. Shockingly enough, less than half of the nations in this study grow enough plant-based protein, and only 25% produce enough vegetables to meet their growing population's demands. This divide is clear; between European and South American nations generally, they are faring better, and they are coming closer towards 'self-sufficiency'. On the other hand, small island states such as the Arabian Peninsula and other low-income countries rely on food that is imported. UAE, Iraq, Qatar, Yemen, and Afghanistan failed to produce enough of any food group to be able to meet the benchmark. Dr. Jonas Stehl, lead author of the study, told BBC Science Focus, 'Low sufficiency is not inherently bad. They are valid and often beneficial reasons as to why a country may not be able to produce the majority of its food. 'Low levels of self-sufficiency can reduce a country's capability to respond to sudden global food supply shocks such as droughts, wars, or export bans,' Stehl said. This renewed focus on food self-sufficiency may also reflect a larger problem, which we might often ignore, as the world continues to navigate its path towards total development, the case of Guyana offers both an inspiration and a stark reminder of the fragility of the global food system. The bigger question is: How soon will other nations act before the next crisis exposes their impairment?
Free Malaysia Today
10-06-2025
- Science
- Free Malaysia Today
Only 1 country fully self-sufficient without global food trade
Researchers are assessing food self-sufficiency of countries around the world if food imports and exports between countries suddenly stopped. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : What would happen if food imports and exports between countries suddenly stopped? Researchers have looked at this hypothetical situation to assess the food self-sufficiency of countries around the world. According to their estimates, only one nation would be able to feed its population in seven food categories if this catastrophic scenario were to occur. Published in the journal Nature Food, the study was conducted by researchers from the University of Göttingen (Germany) and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland). They used data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to assess the ability of 186 countries to supply themselves with legumes, nuts and seeds, vegetables, fruit, starchy foods, dairy products, meat, and fish. Taking these seven major food categories into account, only one country on the list would be capable of self-sufficiency, ie, capable of providing food for its inhabitants across all seven categories without depending on other countries. This is Guyana, a South American country with a population of around 800,000. Next come China and Vietnam, which would be able to supply themselves with six out of seven food categories. Out of 186 countries, 154 can meet the requirements of two to five of the seven food groups. But overall, the picture is worrying. Only one country in seven is self-sufficient in five or more food groups. Most of these nations are located in Europe and South America. The other countries have low production and depend almost exclusively on a single trading partner for more than half of their imports. 'Low self-sufficiency and overdependence on a few countries for imports threaten their capability to respond to global shocks, particularly for small states,' the report stated. Worse still, some countries are unable to achieve self-sufficiency in any of the food groups studied. This is the case in Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Macao, Qatar, and Yemen. Establishing more resilient supply chains This finding is all the more alarming given the recent restrictions imposed by the United States since Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025. 'International food trade and cooperation is essential for healthy and sustainable diets. However, heavy reliance on imports from single countries can leave nations vulnerable. 'Building resilient food supply chains is imperative for ensuring public health,' cautioned the study's first author, Jonas Stehl, a researcher at the University of Göttingen, quoted in a news release. The need for nations to be self-sufficient is also crucial in tackling the climate crisis. While a large majority of European countries overproduce meat and dairy products, demand for these foods is very low in African countries. Less than half of countries produce enough foods such as beans and peas, as well as nuts and seeds, while only a quarter produce enough vegetables to meet domestic demand. 'Climate shocks are reshaping the agriculture sector and will continue to intensify. Open trade and innovation are essential to secure healthy, low-carbon diets,' said study co-author, Alexander Vonderschmidt, PhD researcher at the University of Edinburgh's Division of Global Agriculture and Food Systems.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What eating foods like dark chocolate and berries did to a study group of more than 120,000 people
A new study reveals what drinking tea and eating dark chocolate and berries did for a group of more than 120,000 people. Those foods, as well as fruits like grapes, apples, oranges, and beverages like red wine, all contain flavonoids, which are compounds found in many plant products. Flavonoids can 'help your body function more efficiently while protecting it against everyday toxins and stressors,' per Healthline. The study's authors said those who consumed a diverse range of foods containing flavonoids (such as berries, grapes and dark chocolate) 'could lower their risk of developing serious health conditions and have the potential to live longer,' in a news release. The study has been peer-reviewed. In the study, which was recently published in the journal Nature Food, researchers observed 124,805 participants between the ages of 40 and 70 from the UK Biobank, a large-scale database with biomedical information. The participants were tracked for roughly 10 years and their dietary information was collected using a questionnaire asking them about the frequency in which they ate approximately 200 types of food and 30 beverages. Dr. Benjamin Parmenter, a research fellow at Edith Cowan University in Australia, was the study's first author and co-lead. He said consuming roughly 500 mg of flavonoids a day or more was linked to a 16 per cent lower risk of 'all-cause mortality' (meaning death from any cause). It was also linked to a roughly 10 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory disease. A study published in 2025 in peer-reviewed food science journal Foods said, as it pertains to human health, 'flavonoids are recognized for their ability to combat aging, mitigate inflammation, safeguard the nervous system, and promote overall well-being.' However, in another study published in 2022 in the Nutrition Journal, researchers 'observed an increased risk of prostate cancer by higher intake of total flavonoids.' In a study published in 2016 in the Journal of Nutritional Science, researchers called for further studies on flavonoids so their usefulness 'in the diet could be improved for better human health.' 'Over 30 different types of flavonoids are regularly consumed in the human diet. These are found in different types of everyday foods,' Parmenter told National Post over email. A few squares of dark chocolate could be roughly 25 mg of flavonoids. One apple is equal to roughly 100 mg of flavonoids, while one orange is roughly 60 mg. For tea drinkers, one cup of black tea is roughly 300 mg of flavonoids, while the same amount of green tea is roughly 150 mg. 'We observed that consuming a higher quantity and wider diversity of dietary flavonoids, when consumed together, may represent the optimal approach for improving long-term health, compared with increasing either flavonoid quantity or diversity alone,' Parmenter said. Those with the highest flavonoid diversity were more likely to be female, older, have a lower body mass index (BMI), be more physically active and have a higher education and were less likely to be current smokers, according to the study. 'We also know from lab data and clinical studies that different flavonoids work in different ways, some improve blood pressure, others help with cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation,' said study co-lead professor Aedín Cassidy, per the news release. Cassidy is from the Co-Centre for Sustainable Food Systems and Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast. The findings of the study show how 'simple and achievable dietary dietary swaps' can 'potentially improve health in the long-term,' she said. 'Dietary swaps, such as drinking more tea and eating more berries and apples for example, can help increase the variety and intake of flavonoid-rich foods, and potentially improve health in the long-term,' said Cassidy. According to researchers, no previous works appear to have reported on the human health benefits of a flavonoid-diverse diet. 'Consequently, replication of our findings in other cohorts and clinical trials will be critical, as will the exploration of flavonoid diversity with other disease outcomes. Interpretation, however, requires careful consideration,' said researchers, in the study. The study was led by researchers from Queen's University Belfast, Edith Cowan University Perth, and the Medical University of Vienna and Universitat Wien. Smoking one cigarette equals 20 minute off your life, study finds What drinking 3 cups of coffee daily did to a study group of more than 170,000 people Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
