New Zealand's agricultural sector largely contributes to its economy, with the nut and grain import/export industry playing a significant role. In fact, according to Trading Economics, nuts take up 5.1% of New Zealand’s exports in 2023, along with fruits, peels of citrus fruits, and melons. On the other hand, grain products, like cereal and flour, take up 3.6% along with milk preparation products.
These commodities are essential not only for meeting domestic consumption needs but also for fulfilling international demand. The export of nuts and grains supports numerous jobs and businesses, bolstering the economy through direct and indirect contributions. This industry's success hinges on maintaining high-quality standards, ensuring that New Zealand's reputation for premium agricultural food products remains intact in the global market.
However, shipping nuts, grains or perishable food items overseas requires careful planning and execution to ensure they reach their destinations in prime condition. As such, businesses planning to export their nuts and grains should know the considerations and various requirements for international shipping.
Guidelines in preparing nuts and grains for sale and export
Exporting nuts and grains, like cashew nuts and whole grains, from New Zealand is a meticulous process that requires attention to detail to ensure that these food products maintain their quality during transit. From the moment they are harvested to the final packing stages, each step contributes to preserving the freshness and safety of the product during the shipping process. This is our guideline for preparing and packaging these perishable goods for export.
The initial stages of preparing nuts and grains
The beginning stages of preparation are crucial in the export process. The process of preparing your nuts and grains helps in how your product will maintain its quality as it is shipped internationally. Therefore, these are factors you need to consider when preparing your nuts and grains for export.
1. Harvesting at optimal times
Harvesting nuts and grains at optimal times ensures that the products are at their peak nutritional value and quality. For nuts like cashews, harvesting is typically done when the cashew apples fall naturally to the ground, indicating full maturity. Similarly, grains are harvested when they have fully matured and dried on the stalk.
2. Cleaning
Once harvested, the nuts and grains should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris, dirt and foreign materials. This step helps in maintaining food hygiene and ensuring the safety of your products for consumption.
Cleaning methods may differ depending on the type of nut or grain. For example, nuts, like cashew nuts, need to be cleaned to remove the outer shell and any adhering residues. On the other hand, grains might be cleaned using air blowers or sieves to eliminate dust and chaff.
3. Drying
Drying is a critical step in the preparation process as it helps reduce the moisture content of the nuts and grains. It also helps in mitigating mould growth and spoilage during shipping. This technique can be done using natural sunlight or mechanical dryers, depending on the scale of the operation and environmental conditions.
4. Packaging for your nuts and grains
Using the proper packaging techniques is essential for preserving the quality of nuts and grains during shipment. Aside from spillage and pests, a significant threat to the quality of these perishable products is moisture. Excess moisture can lead to mould growth, spoilage, and a significant reduction in the shelf life of your nuts and grains. Therefore, packaging that’s not only sturdy but also ensures adequate moisture control is crucial.
Consider using vacuum sealing for your products. This technique helps maintain the freshness of your perishable goods and extends their shelf life by removing air from the packaging, which minimises oxidation and prevents moisture ingress. You can also use desiccants, such as silica gel packets, within your packaging to absorb excess moisture. This can help in preserving the flavour and nutritional value of nuts and grains, ensuring they remain in optimal condition throughout their journey.
Additionally, packaging with built-in moisture barriers can further protect the contents from humidity, safeguarding the nuts and grains from potential damage during transit.
Packing nuts and grains to ensure safe shipment
Consider these packaging solutions for ensuring safe shipping of perishable goods:
1. Shock-absorbing packaging for shipment
To prevent physical damage during transit, pack your products in materials that can absorb shocks and vibrations, such as double-walled corrugated boxes. Additionally, foam inserts, bubble wrap, and other cushioning materials should be used to protect the items from further impact. Dividers or partitions within the boxes are beneficial for preventing movement and collisions between individual packages during shipping. For larger shipments, consider using pallets with corner protectors and stretch wrap to add extra layers of protection, ensuring that the products remain secure and intact throughout their journey.
2. Temperature control
Proper temperature control during international shipping is essential for preserving the quality and safety of nuts and grains. Temperature fluctuations can cause spoilage or quality degradation, particularly for perishable goods like cashew nuts or whole grains. Use insulated containers or thermal blankets to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the shipment process. For long-distance or international shipments of food products, consider using refrigerated transport (reefer) services to ensure the products remain within the desired temperature range.
3. Pest Control
Ensuring that the packaging and storage facilities are free from pests is critical to protecting the integrity of the products. Pests can cause significant damage to nuts and grains, leading to contamination and spoilage. Therefore, regular inspections and fumigation in your product’s storage facility can help prevent pest infestations.
4. Proper Labelling
Accurate and clear labelling is essential for the safe and efficient shipping of nuts and grains. Labels should include important information such as the product name, weight, and handling instructions. Proper labelling helps handlers understand the nature of the products and the necessary precautions to take during transport, minimising the risk of damage or mishandling.
How to ship nuts and grains internationally
These are the requirements if you are planning to export nuts and grains.
1. Check New Zealand food safety requirements
Before you can export your nuts and grains, the Ministry of Primary Industries (MIP) requires your products to meet the regulations under the Food Act 2015 and Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
Under the Food Act 2015, your food business will need to undergo an evaluation to ensure that it meets the food safety standards set by the Ministry of Food Safety. An authorised evaluator will inspect your food control plans and all the aspects that determine the safety and suitability of your product and food business.
As you will be exporting nuts and grains, which are considered agricultural products, your products should meet the food standards in relation to agricultural products as well. For this, you will need to ensure that the product has the appropriate residue levels for its specific agricultural compound. For example, methyl bromide in nuts should have a maximum residue of 200 mg/kg.
Should your product meet the necessary criteria, you can submit an application for export to the Ministry of Food Safety.
In accordance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, your products must meet requirements for labelling, substances present in food, contaminants and residues, and microbiological limits and processing standards.
Ensuring compliance with regulations helps maintain the integrity and safety of your products, as well as mitigate any penalties or delays.
2. Adhere to the destination market’s requirements for importing food products
In addition to meeting the New Zealand government's requirements for exporting food products, you must also be aware of the regulations of your target destination.
As nuts and grains fall under plant products, the MIP advises you to align your products with the phytosanitary requirements of your target destination. Commodities that meet these requirements will be issued either an import permit, phytosanitary certificate or both. For instance, if you plan to export grain to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will have to present a phytosanitary certificate. This certificate can be issued through ePhyto or applied for by an Independent Verification Agency (IVA) on your behalf.
In some cases, your target country may not have specific phytosanitary requirements. However, you should still research their other import regulations for perishable goods, such as packaging and labelling requirements, to ensure compliance. This proactive approach will help avoid delays or penalties and ensure smooth entry into the destination market.
3. Prepare all the other necessary documentation for export
Aside from export permits from the Ministry of Food Safety and phytosanitary certificates, you should also have the other necessary documentation for shipping, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and Certificates of Origin. Having all these documents in order ensures a smooth export process, minimises delays at customs, and helps avoid potential fines or rejections.
Proper documentation not only facilitates compliance with international trade regulations but also builds trust with your customers and trading partners.
4. Partner with a reliable international logistics provider
Choosing the right logistics provider is critical for the successful shipment of nuts and grains. A reliable partner can offer:
- Expertise in food shipping: Select an international logistics provider in New Zealand with experience and expertise in the freight forwarding of perishable food items. These service providers should also understand the specific requirements of shipping nuts and grains.
- Temperature-controlled shipping: Ensure your logistics partner offers temperature-controlled shipping options to maintain the quality and freshness of your food products during transit.
- Track and trace: Opt for a provider that offers robust tracking and tracing capabilities. This allows you to monitor your shipment in real time and ensures timely delivery.
- Pest control measures: Partner with a logistics service that adheres to strict pest control measures to protect your food products from contamination and damage throughout the shipping process.
