Fragile Transport Links Threaten NZ Fruit and Vegetable Supply Chains

The report says the largest growing regions for horticulture production are the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay and says both are heavily export focused and that infrastructure failures in these regions could cost NZ billions of dollars.

The report also notes that Gisborne and Northland are major producers as well and most of what they produce goes out of their regions to other parts of the country or overseas.

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott says in Gisborne, only 18% and Northland, a mere 4% of produce packed in the regions is also distributed in the regions.

That means, she says, that inter-regional transport links are particularly critical, but both have primary transport routes that are vulnerable to disruption.

"The most recent example of this was the closure in February, due to slips, of Waiokea Gorge, SH2 between Gisborne and Bay of Plenty, which supports up to $112m of produce movement out of the Gisborne region. Closures like this have significant impacts on growers," she says.

Scott says fresh produce can move four or more times between paddock and consumer, including packhouse, wholesaler, distribution centre, and retailer, and transport disruption at any point can compromise quality.

Other vulnerabilities highlighted in the study include that Auckland is the main distribution point for fruit and vegetables for the domestic market but there are limited alternative routes to move produce through the city during disruptions, such as extreme weather events.

"Safeguarding critical transport routes and reducing the risk of cascading delays are central to protecting shelf life, meeting market requirements, and ensuring the best possible returns for growers and the New Zealand economy," says Scott.