Tough times for growers in the strawberry patch
Whether overseas casual workers arrive in time to make a difference for this year’s strawberry season is the big question, says Strawberry Growers NZ’s (SGNZ) chairman Anthony Rakich.
Consumer prices manager Katrina Dewbery says that fewer exports have meant there is more supply available for domestic consumption.
Prices averaged $3.45/250g punnet in November, down from $6.04 in October.
“Prices are lower than we typically see for a November month with December generally being when they are cheapest. Some people may be seeing even cheaper prices during the first half of December,” Dewbery said.
Overall, food prices fell 0.9% in November. This was mainly influenced by vegetable prices falling by 9.9% and partly offset by fruit prices rising 5.2%, despite the drop in strawberry prices.
Tomato prices fell 51% in November to an average of $3.99/kg, down from an all-time high of $13.65 in August this year.
“Tomato prices have adjusted back down to a price we would expect to see for this time of year, slightly, higher than the five-year average price for the November month of $3.74/kg.”
Mainly influencing the rise in fruit prices are higher prices for kiwifruit (up 78%), apples (up 13%) and oranges (up 34%). These fruit typically become more expensive heading into summer as they go out of season.
Kiwifruit has risen to an average price of $7.11/kg, 86 cents more expensive than this time last year.
