12 | Oat milk opening doors for NZ farmers Karen Phelps Oat milk is now the leading category of plant milks in New Zealand, overtaking almond and soy. And that means opportunities for Kiwi farmers, says Morgan Maw, owner of company Boring Oat Milk. Boring is the only oat milk made at scale in New Zealand and uses New Zealand oats, supplied via Harraways, grown by local farmers. Morgan says both arable and dairy farmers could bene t by growing oats to supply for oat milk and there will also be environmental bene ts. “Oats are gentle on soil and nitrogen hungry so can help with problems like nitrates leaching from soils. To produce one litre of oat milk, it requires 10 times less land, 13 times less water and emits three times less greenhouse gas than a litre of dairy milk,” she says. The gures Morgan quotes are based on international models and she acknowledges the need for New Zealand speci c research. It’s something Boring is currently undertaking in conjunction with The AgriBusiness Group and Left eld Innovation, looking at the impact of dairy versus arable farming in New Zealand and if a mixed farming model including oats could bene t dairy farmers. “We need to know what the nancial model needs to be to make it compelling for the farmer as dairy pays incredibly well and oats falls well short of that right now. It’s about really looking at the true cost of growing something taking into account food waste, animal welfare and emissions etc.” The research is due to be released later this year and Morgan admits it’s a complex issue. “It’s certainly not a simple switch and transition method; it’s about looking at this holistically. My view is that the majority of farmers love their land and want to do their best but a farming model has to be nancially viable and good for their back pocket as well.” Morgan started Boring less than a year ago in late 2021. She was largely inspired by the need to nd more sustainable food and farming alternatives, and it is already the second best selling oat milk in New Zealand with 23% market share (oat milk has 33% market share overall). “Launching a business in the last two and a half years was always going to be nerve wracking with the uncertainty created by lockdowns and people’s spending habits. Initially, we couldn’t meet with people and talk to them about our plant milk due to restrictions, so we deep dived into social media and it has paid off.” She cites Boring’s key points of difference as being the recyclable plastic bottles it comes in (most other oat milks are packaged in Tetra Paks, which are generally not kerbside recyclable in New Zealand), the fact it is the only oat milk made in New Zealand and their unique branding. It is supplied by Coffee Supreme, Foodstuffs and Countdown meaning Boring products have good coverage across New Zealand. With oat milk having growth of 115% in terms of its market share in the past year the future is looking bright for the category. “Firstly this growth is due to the delicious taste of oat milk and its functionality. Oat milk pairs well with coffee and froths well. That’s always been a shortfall of plant-based milks; they weren’t easy for baristas to use. “A lot of consumers are going to plant-based milk for allergen reasons and oat milk obviously doesn’t have nuts in it. The sustainability credentials are also a major reason for its rise in popularity. To produce a litre of oat milk it requires seven times less water compared with producing a litre of almond milk, for example. “Supermarkets haven’t seen this much growth in a category since energy drinks launched so they are really interested in improving their oat milk category and Boring is playing a key part of that.” “To produce one litre of oat milk, it requires 10 times less land, 13 times less water and emits three times less greenhouse gas than a litre of dairy milk.” Oat milk pairs well with coffee and froths well. Marlborough Rural Realty Ltd, Agri Realty Ltd, Exemplar Realty Ltd. Licensed REAA 2008 Rural & Agribusiness The right people bringing the best advice to the table. Visit colliersrural.co.nz or call us on 0800 880 460 We know that farming isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life. The decision to sell your property is a big one. Important decisions are often best made around the table, wherever it is. Invite a Colliers Rural Sales advisor to your table to profit from the best advice. We would love to join you. Blenheim, Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru, Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown, Invercargill OAT MILK » Boring Milk
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