Grow more veggies!
Being able to grow more vegetables could be one way to bring prices down, according to Vegetables New Zealand Incorporated (VNZI).
Vegetables New Zealand is welcoming lower consumer prices but is worried about future supply, given all the challenges vegetable growers are facing.
Vegetables NZ chair, John Murphy, says it’s great to be in a period where vegetable supply is good, because growers have planted more and the weather is supporting great spring growth.
“However, growers remain under enormous pressure due to increasing input costs, mounting regulation, skilled labour shortages, and a business environment that does not support expansion,” says Murphy.
He says that if these pressures cannot be reversed, New Zealanders will not be able to enjoy fresh, healthy vegetables at reasonable prices in the future, because more growers will exit the industry, thus reducing supply.
“What’s more, because the industry has not been able to expand to cater for increased demand, New Zealand food security has been compromised,” Murphy says.
“This means that it would only take one big adverse weather event in one of our major growing regions to create significant vegetable shortages in supermarkets for many months.”
He says Vegetables NZ has already engaged the incoming Government on the challenges facing the sector.
“The incoming politicians whom we’ve spoken to are very positive and want to support our industry to expand, so we can provide New Zealanders with fresh, healthy food at reasonable prices. However, there are a lot of fundamentals to get right to return our industry to growth and prosperity,” Murphy concludes.
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.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…