Climate shift opens door for Far North specialty coffee industry growth

Far North coffee growers explore specialty crop potential at industry conference. Photo / Supplied

Coffee growers, scientists and industry specialists converged in the Far North for the inaugural New Zealand Coffee Producers Association annual conference.

The goal was simple, to share knowledge, compare notes and explore how far New Zealand-grown specialty coffee can go as the climate shifts and new opportunities open in the north.

The theme of the conference was knowledge sharing and collaboration with a focus on producing and processing premium New Zealand-grown specialty coffee.

Changes in climate now mean that growing coffee is feasible in the Far North in particular.

It’s now more than seven years since Doubtless Bay-based Ikarus Coffee began commercial production and there are now more than 12 growers with aspirations to scale-up production. Collectively they have over 7000 trees planted with these aspirations prompting plans for increasing plant availability to allow for further expansion.

The group at the conference comprised expert horticulturists, horticultural research specialists, experts in processing, and global green bean trader Pat Russell, general manager at Sucafina NZ.

With a collective aim to achieve the highest quality, attendees were privileged to participate in a tasting of coffees from around the world; organised by internationally recognised head sensory judge Stu Hagrie from Turning Point Coffee in Whangārei.

The tasting allowed comparisons with locally grown coffee from Tony Hayward’s Kauri Coffee Company which achieved a high-quality score. This exemplified and validated the potential for coffees grown in the Far North to be competitive at the highest level globally.

Justine Stuart, Northland food and beverage ambassador and member of the NZPCA executive committee, said it was very exciting to be building on New Zealand’s global reputation as roasters and baristas to grow and process specialty coffee in the Southern-most part of the world.

“A New Zealand industry has potential to produce high economic value for its producers, not only from coffee as a drink, but through byproduct processing and agri-tourism.

“As in other countries, coffee plantations have proven to be a tourism magnet and with Northland now telling more of its food and beverage story through festivals like Savour Northland, this is sure to add another richer dimension.”

Far North councillor John Vujcich opened the conference and said he was excited for the economic potential coffee growing has for the Far North.