Its purpose is to enhance the value and productivity of New Zealand's horticultural, arable, seafood and food & beverage industries.

The interests of the institute are based in horticulture, arable and seafood research, specifically in the areas of sustainable production, bioprotection, elite genetics & intelligent breeding, food and health science and biomaterials.

[1][2] The institute was formed on 1 December 2008 by merging existing CRIs HortResearch and Crop and Food Research.

On 1 October 2021, Plant & Food Research commenced an even joint venture with Zespri: the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre.

[4][5][6] The research and development centre, based in Te Puke and also operating out of Kerikeri, Motueka and Mt Albert,[7] is focused on improving kiwifruit breeding and cultivation.