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.
Strawberry prices fell 43% in November 2020 as Covid-19 border restrictions reduced exports, Stats NZ said.
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.
Profitability issues facing arable farmers are the same across the world, says New Zealand's special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr.
Over 85% of Fonterra farmer suppliers will be eligible for customer funding up to $1,500 for solutions designed to drive on-farm efficiency gains and reduce emissions intensity.
Tighter beef and lamb production globally have worked to the advantage of NZ, according to the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
Groundswell is ramping up its 'Quit Paris' campaign with signs going up all over the country.
Some farmers in the Nelson region are facing up to five years of hard work to repair their damaged properties caused by the recent devastating floods.
Federated Farmers is joining major industry-good bodies in not advocating for the Government to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
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