The PCNZ concept was born of a Primary Sector Bootcamp in 2012, at Stanford University.

Six original shareholders incorporated the NZ company in 2014. They were Silver Fern Farms, Synlait Milk Ltd, Kono, Villa Maria Wines, Sealord and Pacific Pace (the apple coalition, comprising Mr Apple, Bostock and Kiwi Crunch).

Andy Borland was elected as Chairman in May 2014, and remains in that role in 2022.

The first CEO was appointed in 2015; Kevin Parish, and the PCNZ office was opened in Shanghai in April 2015.

Since then, 9 companies have joined as members (see "Members section").

Three companies have successfully graduated into their own stand alone WOFEs; Kono (2016), Silver Fern Farms (2019), Synlait (2019). K9 Natural (2022) and Spring Sheep Milk (2023).