A Bay of Plenty truffle company is sharing its secrets of the industry in a bid to lure owners of unproductive land to grow "black diamonds".
The Government is funding $155,000 over three years to Ohiwa Black Diamond Truffles so it can teach interested growers, in an attempt to build a robust export industry.
The black diamond company is run by Ohiwa-based couple Matui Hudson and Annette Munday who have so far held three workshops on truffle growing.
"We’ve already received orders for around 10,000 inoculated truffle seedlings from several hapū, and we’ve helped a Kawhia whānau set up their truffière," Munday said.
Munday added she would like Māori land trusts and farmers around Aotearoa to get involved.
"It’s an opportunity to make money out of land with poor soil, and could offer a side-line income for farmers if they planted seedlings beside trees used for riparian planting."
Truffles can fetch between $2500 and $3500 per kilogram - set-up costs per hectare for growing truffles range between $35,000 and $75,000.
Munday said each tree can yield up to 200 grams to one kilogram in well-managed plantations.
"The truffles on our Ohiwa plantation are grown beside oak and hazelnut trees, but pinus pinea trees are also suitable. To grow effectively, truffles need soil with a high level of alkaline."
The Director of investment programmes at the Ministry of Primary Industries said the expansion of the truffle industry in Aotearoa could create new jobs.
"The truffle industry has significant export potential as New Zealand businesses are currently unable to keep up with overseas demand."
