New Research Reveals How Kiwis Really Like Their Hot Chips
New nationwide research has revealed exactly how Kiwis like to enjoy hot chips, with a simple sprinkle of salt coming out on top.
New Zealand's potato sector remains a billion dollar plus industry despite a year of crises.
Potatoes New Zealand says the total value of the NZ potato industry now sits at $1.16 billion, a 58% growth rate since targets were set in 2013.
Chief executive Chris Claridge says this result shows the immense value of the local processing sector.
“Fifty-five percent of our locally grown potatoes produce fries and another 12% produce crisps. A strong domestic market for NZ processed potatoes underpins our industry and maintains our growers’ resilience.”
However, the sector is disappointed by the findings of a Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) tariff report. Claridge says the conclusions of the MBIE Final Report into European Dumping are “very disappointing” for growers and the Potatoes NZ board.
MBIE found the confirmed dumping of imported potato fries into the NZ market as not of material threat to the local industry.
Claridge says this signals to NZ importers and EU exporters that the NZ Government is leaving the gate open.
“The obvious risk here is a real material threat to our domestic potato processing market and our growers,” he says.
NZ Potato Industry Fast Facts:
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson says his party – NZ First - isn’t opposed to the “trade element” of a free trade deal with India.
The managing director of a company seeking to build a solar farm in Canterbury says receiving fast-track approval is a “really positive outcome”.
Retiring MP and dairy farmer Mark Cameron is blasting the Green Party for proposing to ban the use of synthetic fertiliser and cutting cow numbers.
A huge reduction in ACC claims from on-farm accidents over the last five years is due to thousands of small, practical decisions being made in sheds, yards, paddocks and around kitchen tables across the country, says Safer Farms ambassador Lindy Nelson.
Wayne and Ange Moxham of Horowhenua have just been named as Fonterra's top organic performer for milksolids. As well as providing organic milk to Fonterra, the couple also sell Udderly Organic milk to more than 100 outlets in the region and are embarking on another exciting venture producing organic gelato. Reporter Peter Burke went along to see their farming operation.
Certainty and a clear understanding of the needs of rural communities is a critical outcome in the series of government reforms that are taking place at present.

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