Future Land Use Investment Decision Forum

Thank you to the approximately 250 growers, landowners, and industry representatives who joined us for the Future Land Use Investment Decision Forum on 27 August, hosted by Marlborough Research Centre and PGG Wrightson Fruitfed Supplies at the Marlborough Events Centre.

The forum was held in response to a growing number of conversations across the region about future land use — as growers and landowners weigh up their options amid changing market forces. Making decisions of this scale calls for good information, realistic timeframes, and the right expertise around the table, and that was the purpose of the evening: to bring together companies and organisations working across a range of land-use sectors, so attendees could hear directly from those active in each space.

Across the evening, speakers shared market perspectives spanning grapes and wine, pipfruit and kiwifruit, summerfruit, arable and seed crops, fresh produce, workforce and labour solutions, and finance — covering what's driving demand, what a transition involves, and what to consider before committing capital to a new land use.

A note on the presentations

Each presentation reflects the perspective of a single company operating in that space, and speakers spoke to their own products, services, and experience. Marlborough Research Centre and PGG Wrightson Fruitfed Supplies do not endorse or recommend any of the presenting companies, and no commercial relationship should be assumed from a company's inclusion in the forum.

Land-use decisions of this kind carry real cost and commitment, and returns can take a number of years to materialise. As several speakers noted on the night, good decisions start with due diligence — we'd encourage anyone considering a change to speak with their own advisor, and to seek out more than one source of information before committing.

This was the first forum of its kind, and we intend to broaden the range of companies and perspectives involved in future sessions, informed by the interests growers tell us about.

Presentations from the evening

The presentations below reflect the information shared on the night and are now available as a resource for anyone considering their land-use options — whether you were there or unable to attend.

Grapes & Wine

Pipfruit & Kiwifruit

Summerfruit

Arable & Seed

Fresh Produce

Workforce & Labour

Finance