Mixed season for summerfruit
It has been another mixed season for the country's summerfruit growers.
Summerfruit NZ's new chair says the biggest problems facing growers are the ongoing labour shortage and the difficulty getting produce to overseas markets due to the logistics crisis caused by Covid-19.
Roger Brownlie took over from Tim Jones at the organisation's recent AGM. He hails from Hawke's Bay and runs an orchar in partnership with his wife.
They grow a range of summerfruit including apricots, nectarines, cherries, and a few apples. At the peak of the season, they employ about 30 staff to pick and pack their crop.
Brownlie says at some time in the near future there will be a bumper season for summerfruit out of the South Island, which will need extra labour and good logistics to get to market. He says the sector will be focusing on working collaboratively with HortNZ to get a positive response on these issues from government.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) says access to personal banking services in rural communities is fundamental to promoting outcomes that benefit Kiwi consumers.
A group set up to boost education and promotion of wool says it has made positive strides during the first year of its three-year strategy.
Meat processor ANZCO Foods says despite a challenging business environment, it has posted a net profit before tax of $61 million for 2023.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.