NZGrower | May 2022

Page 61

REFLECTIONS AS THE PROCESS VEGETABLES HARVEST ENDS Richard Palmer : Process Vegetables New Zealand general manager

The last Process Vegetables New Zealand (PVNZ) Board meeting reviewed the harvest that is ending, with reflections on what has been a hugely varied season driven by a wide range of events. Clearly weather events have been one big factor with a series of tropical weather systems affecting crops in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, and rain also disrupting the pea harvest in Canterbury before Christmas. Overall, the process pea crop is expected to be down at least 15 percent, whilst final tallies may show a more significant drop. Likewise, corn and tomato harvests in Gisborne are mixed, after a fantastic early start with sweetcorn yields well up in early crops but later crops badly affected by weather. Covid-19 has also had an effect on processing capacity and logistics constraints, limiting both the export and domestic movement of finished products. So, another season of mixed fortunes but processors report consistent demand and the rise in fresh produce prices, coupled with family budgeting advice from domestic experts about vegetable options, is likely to drive increased demand for processed vegetables, both in New Zealand and in export markets. Given the current season’s challenges what might the following season look like? With input prices rising as inflation grips the country and the globe, clearly price and productivity increases are necessary for the sector’s ongoing success. Competition in arable regions as grain prices reach record levels is also likely to be a driver for increased grower returns. Global wheat prices are at a 25-year high, and other staple agricultural commodities (corn, beef, soybeans) are all at similar long-term highs, reflecting the uncertainty of food supply.

This situation is in part driven by the food shortage concerns over Ukrainian agricultural output but also must reflect the increased input costs, especially labour, energy and fertiliser. Those increased input costs will have to translate to increased grower returns, not just to cover those costs, but also to reflect the increased financial risks. The necessity of increased margins to cover both the financial and production risks are not factors well understood by those not involved in primary production. Despite the evident business risk lessons from Covid-19, the irony is that perhaps this has inured our consumers to the challenges of farming. It is clearly an issue that we need to keep educating customers and bureaucracies about, as well as being progressive in climate adaptation to play our part in minimising the weather risks. In the meantime, PVNZ continues to invest in research to support and maintain production. Two key aspects are the varied research approaches to improve pea production, both seed consistency and also using Rhizobia to improve cooler early season growth. The pea seed research being undertaken by Bruce Searle at Plant & Food Research is demonstrating the ongoing challenge season-to-season, not just for that season’s production but the seasonal environmental effect on seed from mother to daughter crops. What is apparent is that the weather effects in one season can be ongoing with the possibility for varied flowering and therefore reduced yield in the subsequent crop. PVNZ also continues to work with the government to identify other constraints and the Board gave increased impetus to our engagement with Agcarm, given the supply risks for agrichemicals for the coming season. For growers the need to place early orders for agrichemicals is critical to ensuring sufficient supply for next season. The PVNZ Board looks forward to seeing growers at the Christchurch roadshow and Annual General Meeting on 4 August where we are running a series of presentations together with Vegetables New Zealand before the AGM at the end of the day. NZGROWER : MAY 2022  59


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Articles inside

Fruitfed Supplies – Growing Talent in the Horticultural Industry

5min
pages 74-76

AdvanceQuip add CASE H Series Rough Terrain Forklifts to Range

2min
page 70

Heat and Control – Industry Favourite for Fresh Cuts Levels Up

2min
page 71

Netropolitan – Waste Not Want Not

1min
page 73

Potatoes NZ Inc

9min
pages 64-67

Process Vegetables NZ Inc

3min
page 61

TomatoesNZ Inc

3min
pages 62-63

December Deadline for Free Trades Training Applications

2min
pages 52-54

Waimea Community Dam update

4min
pages 50-51

Heat on greenhouse growers

7min
pages 32-34

New Scholarship Recipient Takes on Endophytes

2min
pages 48-49

Rising costs concern the country’s vegetable growers

8min
pages 42-45

Four views from would-be Auckland mayors on Pukekohe

4min
pages 46-47

Gisborne growers hit by trio of massive rain events

10min
pages 28-31

Plants can help reduce emissions and chemical use

6min
pages 38-41

Growing pressure on covered crop operations

5min
pages 35-37

Campaigns and schemes increase appeal of work in horticulture

4min
pages 26-27

Flexible working conditions enhance industry’s appeal

4min
pages 20-21

Greater irrigation accuracy

4min
pages 22-23

Natural resources and environment

3min
page 9

Freshwater Farm Plans for growers on the Waimea Plains

3min
pages 14-16

President’s Word: The positives in change

6min
pages 4-5

The Chief Executive: Planning and working towards a

4min
pages 6-8

Environment Canterbury decision provides consenting pathway for vegetables

4min
pages 12-13

A guide to New Zealand’s biosecurity system

5min
pages 10-11
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