NZ tomato growers face rising energy costs
Tomato growers are facing a challenge like never before over the rising cost of energy and the uncertainty of supply.
"We urgently want more government support and certainty."
That's the call from the Horticulture NZ chair Barry O'Neil who says this is needed if growers and orchardists in Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti are to fully recover to pre-cyclone levels of growth within the next decade.
His remarks follow the news that the Government is investing nearly $1 billion to aid recovery from cyclone and storm damage nationwide.
O'Neil says if the recovery doesn't speed up, more businesses will be lost from the horticulture industry. He says these businesses pump upwards of a billion dollars a year into the Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti economies.
"While we are encouraged by statements that the Government wants to work with communities and industries like ours, this needs to happen as soon as possible - by June as the Government has promised - and not be a bureaucratic nightmare," he says.
O'Neil says it is not as if the Government is alone in spending heavily on the recovery. He says growers have invested millions in the recovery too, so they do not lose uninsurable biological assets like trees and vines, as well as talented and committed staff.
"What growers need now is more direction, for example, on land use, and alternative funding options if the horticulture industry is to get back to get back to pre-cyclone and Covid growth levels, and not lose what it has built up over decades. Our industry's focus is on the long-term."
O'Neil says HortNZ doesn't want to see the Hawke's Bay and Tairawhiti horticulture sectors needlessly lose their competitive advantage, as that will cost the regions and the country billions in lost jobs and export revenue.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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