Mar 2, 2026
Over the past 12 months, the velvet sector has worked hard to lift standards, strengthen assurance, and position our velvet for long-term success in high-value international markets. A key part of that has been exploring whether export licensing could provide a simple, effective way to reinforce expectations at the point of export.
Regulatory changes require a rigorous process through the parliamentary system, which can often take longer than we want. Rarely are these things straightforward. The ultimate goal, however, remains: to improve discipline within the velvet value chain, while protecting our industry and ensuring a high-integrity system that delivers a high-quality product.
While export licensing will not be in place for the 2026/27 season, the direction of travel remains the same: protect our velvet story, reward responsible operators, and build confidence with overseas customers.
At its core, the proposal has always been about industry-led self-regulation — not heavy-handed intervention. It’s about ensuring that basic standards are met, and that those who invest in quality, grading, documentation and traceability are not undercut by those who don’t.
“This is about raising the floor, not limiting the ceiling,” says DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths. “It’s about giving offshore customers confidence that our velvet is consistently top quality and backed by stringent quality and traceability standards.”
Velvet is exported largely in raw form, but it is used in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and health-focused food applications, where assurance and trust are non-negotiable. The industry’s interest in export licensing reflects that reality.
With a full legislative programme underway in Parliament and a general election in November, it’s now clear that export licensing will not be in place for the 2026/27 season. That’s a realistic and accepted outcome, and one that DINZ and the Export Licensing Working Group (ELWG) are fully factoring into their planning. In the meantime, DINZ is pulling other levers to support the sector’s growth and credibility, which include:
- Embedding changes to VelTrak compliance and verifications, with stronger trends in monthly levy filing and payment, and targeted verifications underway.
- Applying consistently the Terms of Use introduced in August 2025, with DINZ Quality Assurance supported by an external auditor.
“We’ve always taken a practical, risk-managed approach,” says DINZ Trade Strategy Advisor Damon Paling. “The work on export licensing has been detailed and deliberate, and even though it’s now proceeding at a more conservative pace, it’s laid important groundwork for how the sector can govern itself and protect long-term value.”
The work to date has been shaped by voices from across the sector. The concept of export licensing was first raised by farmers and exporters looking to ensure that long-term value isn’t eroded by short-term behaviour. Since then, the ELWG has helped define what a practical, light-touch approach could look like — not as a barrier, but as a baseline. DINZ remains committed to continuing this conversation, while also delivering through the tools already available.
While export licensing won’t be a reality in the short term, the work to protect and grow the value of our velvet is well underway. The sector has momentum, tools, and unity of purpose, and that is what matters most in the eyes of international customers.
DINZ will continue to lead the conversation, support responsible operators, and represent the sector’s interests, with a clear aim of building a more mature, trusted, and valuable velvet industry for the years ahead.
