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Bragato Research Institute (BRI) commissioned New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) to estimate the impact of research and development in the wine sector, and the impact of BRI activities on the Marlborough region, the national winegrowing industry and the wider economy. The findings of the report illustrate the new benefits added since the inception of BRI, as well as benefits of historic research and development in the wine sector.

Using past studies, NZIER researchers concluded that wine research led to increases of 20% to 25%, with a $64.5m boost to the national economy driven by higher productivity.

Among the report’s findings:

• Opened in February 2020, BRI’s new research winery enables research winemaking at a scale and degree of experimental control not possible before in New Zealand.
• BRI’s contribution to the national economy is approximately $8 million per annum, including the economic benefits from 30 new jobs created for the New Zealand economy.
• As part of that $8 million, the creation of BRI has boosted Marlborough’s economy by $2.2 million.
• In terms of overall wine R&D, the contribution of this research to annual economic growth of the wine industry has been between 20 and 25 percent (2000-2015).
• Each year, wine R&D leads to:
  • an increase in exports by $41 million
  • an increase in the size of the national economy by $64.5 million
  • a boost in household consumption by $37.2 million
  • and 258 new jobs for the economy.

While research has been a significant catalyst in the growth of the wine industry, the report warns that those gains could be reversed in the absence of R&D. Research has a shelf-life and loses impact over time, according to NZIER, so the industry must continue to invest in R&D “in order to maintain its prior gains and make new ones”. Industry challenges also vary over time, and managing risks will require proactive and preventative research.

Download the full report by clicking here.

For more information:

MJ Loza
Bragato Research Institute
Mobile: 021 99 33 89