fbpx
Print this page
Thursday, 11 May 2023 13:55

Veg supplies look good as winter approaches

Written by  Staff Reporters
The prices of fruit and vegetables rose 22.5%. The prices of fruit and vegetables rose 22.5%.

Vegetable supplies look good as New Zealand approaches the winter season but ongoing unsettled weather could still be the wild card.

That’s according to Vegetables New Zealand chair John Murphy.

“The weather’s been warm and wet as we head into winter when growing slows down,” he says in response to the release of the April 2023 food price index.

The index, released today by Stats NZ, reported a 12.5% annual increase in food prices.

The prices of fruit and vegetables rose 22.5%, an increase Stats NZ says is largely driven by tomatoes, avocados and potatoes.

“We have large and small vegetable growers spread across New Zealand,” says Murphy.

He says that this helps the industry ensure a continuity of supply, something he says is important if a severe weather event occurs in one area, setting it back three to four months.

“Last winter, we advised consumers to buy in season and that’s the advice we’re giving again as we move into the colder and darker months.

“We’d also like to encourage consumers to continue to support their country’s vegetable industry,” he says. “Our industry provides jobs for thousands of New Zealanders, in regions up and down the country, while at the same time providing kiwis with fresh, healthy, great tasting food.”

More like this

Vegetable growing at risk

Horticulture New Zealand says the country’s ability to provide fresh, healthy vegetables is at risk unless the Government makes growing them a permitted activity.

$10 cucumbers?

OPINION: The Hound hears John Murphy, chair of Veg NZ, reckons greenhouse vege producers face severe challenges due to changes in the ETS.

Less hot air

OPINION: According to Statistics NZ, the country's greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.7% in the March quarter, the largest quarterly decrease since March 2010 "excluding the pandemic years".

Featured

Farmer input needed to combat FE

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on livestock farmers to take part in a survey measuring the financial impact of facial eczema (FE).

Editorial: Escaping Trump's wrath

OPINION: President Donald Trump's bizarre hard line approach to the world of what was once 'rules-based trade' has got New Zealand government officials, politicians and exporters on tenterhooks.

Wool pellets to boost gardens

With wool prices steadily declining and shearing costs on the rise, a Waikato couple began looking for a solution for wool from their 80ha farm.

National

New Summerfruit NZ CEO

Dean Smith has been in the role of CEO of Summerfruit NZ for about four months, having succeeded Kate Hellstrom…

Machinery & Products

Ecorobotix announces NZ dealership

Swiss-based Ecorobotix has announced its entry into the New Zealand market through a strategic partnership with Canterbury-based New Zealand Tractors.

Sorting unwashed potatoes made easy

Downs, a leader in potato reception, automated sorting, and storage, has introduced its new high-throughput optical sorter for unwashed potatoes…

Jumbo X saves time and money

A winner of a prestigious ‘Technical Innovations 2024’ award by FederUnacoma at the EIMA show in Italy, the Maschio Jumbo…

NH unveils specialty tractor

New Holland recently showcased its new-generation T4.120 F specialty tractor, giving New Zealand customers a closer look at the winner…

Combining track and tyre

While the last fifty years has seen massive evolution and development of the humble tractor tyre, the last two decades…