Spuds losing ground to housing
Potato growers are losing prime land to urban sprawl, with over 3000ha lost since 2016.
Potato growers say the recent border controls around Auckland affected supply chains and transit for staff living outside the region.
Also, the closure of Auckland fruit and vegetable shops during Level 3 last month led to a food surplus and waste among growers.
Potatoes NZ chief executive Chris Claridge says the industry swiftly adapted to lockdown alert Level 3 in Pukekohe and Level 2 elsewhere, just as they did during the first lockdown earlier this year.
“There have been difficulties, with border controls in Pukekohe/Auckland, which have hindered transit for staff,” he told Hort News.
“Sadly, the Government has again not allowed fresh produce shops to open during Level 3, which has again meant difficulties for supply chains and potentially this sort of thing will lead to food surplus and food waste.
“In saying that, growers have given surplus to food banks and charitable activities as they always do.”
HortNZ’s plea to the Government for fruit and veggie shops to remain open during the Level 3 fell on deaf ears.
In New Zealand there are multiple ways fresh fruit and vegetables are available for sale to the general public. The majority of these sales are made through large supermarket chains and independent fresh fruit and vegetable retailers, at a market share of approximately 80% and 20% respectively. However, in Auckland independent retailers represent 60% of sales of fresh fruit and vegetables.
The closure of Auckland fast food outlets and restaurants also dealt a blow.
Claridge says domestic NZ fresh and frozen fries sales will have been impacted by the closure of hospitality in this Level 3 response in the Auckland region.
“It is too early to see the economic impact on our sales data,” he says.
Claridge expects domestic sales to be affected in the coming months by hospitality activity, business closures and consumer activities.
Evidence of spud dumping
Potatoes NZ has filed a tariff application with the Government for frozen fries imported from Europe.
Potatoes NZ chief executive Chris Claridge says the application was based on evidence.
The tariff application is sitting with Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and is under investigation.
“We made the application based on evidence of price and volume dumping from Europe into NZ,” says Claridge.
“We wouldn’t have been able to make the application without evidence, so yes we have seen and collected the evidence.”
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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