ONIONS NEW ZEALAND WINTER TOUR Words by James Kuperus : Onions NZ Inc. chief executive ongoing one for the coming season. Reliability of global shipping plummeted in 2020, remaining at 35–40% year to date 2021 (fig. 1). This is approximately half of what it was pre-pandemic.
Onions New Zealand also highlighted the rise of Southeast Asia’s importance in the New Zealand onion sector. Since 2005, onion exports (FoB) have increased from $5 million to $50 million The invasive Fall Army Worm is a problem for crops across the world
Onions New Zealand has had a successful Winter Tour this July, meeting with 28 onion growing enterprises and 72 industry representatives in Christchurch, Ashburton, Hawke’s Bay and Pukekohe. Onions NZ discussed upcoming changes, informed industry of Onion NZ’s current priorities and heard out growers’ concerns. The following is a summary of the key updates raised during the tour:
Shipping Shipping has been a major disruptor for the industry over the last 12 to 18 months, an issue that is likely to be an
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There has also been a decline in ships visiting New Zealand (fig. 2, dark blue line). This means that every time there is a blank sailing, it has a multiplying effect. i.e. Every time a ship skips a port, there is a longer wait for the next vessel and more cargo to go on that vessel. These two issues combined with climbing shipping rates, do not paint a positive outlook for shipping.
The Rise of Southeast Asia Onions New Zealand also highlighted the rise of Southeast Asia’s importance in the New Zealand onion sector. Since 2005, onion exports (FoB) have increased from $5 million to $50 million. One particular event contributing to the increase in exports to Southeast Asia, was the signing and implementation of the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) in 2010 (fig. 3). The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Free Trade Agreement and Southeast Asian nations are critically important for the industry and will require careful focus and care to ensure future prosperity of the sector.
