2
Feb 2021

Weather Great

Weather Great

Production stable, price under pressure

 

Last week I heard, on the radio, a person complaining about the amount of rain we have had!  Was that person kidding?  This time last year my lawn was a desert and Hawkes Bay farmers were living through one of the worst droughts in living memory.  The Auckland water reservoirs were starting to drop rapidly (still are not great).

Even though we have had several storms, (my water tanks are full) light levels have been sufficient and production is stable.  Talking to growers over the past week the main issue is less to do with plant health but returns currently achieved by greenhouse vegetable growers.   It is not just traditional greenhouse produce that returns have been low but a myriad of crops.  Hopefully the silver lining is this will increase consumption of healthy, in season fruit and veg. 

 

The Home Gardner:

Last year, just before the first lockdown, ‘the home garden’ seed and plant sales went ballistic.    It has been ideal conditions for growing in the garden this spring and summer.  Perhaps, due to Covid-19 & the constant threat of further lockdowns, and less travel, the humble home gardener has been able to maintain vegetable patches much more efficiently than in the past.   Harvesting enough fresh produce from the garden will directly reduce the need to purchase from the supermarkets.   Many of those garden fruit and vegetable favourites will be in full harvest right now as well. 

So not only are growers potentially competing against each other but possibly the reinvigoration of the home gardener.  

 

Eating Habits of the non-Gardener:

It would be great to understand, as a result of Covid-19 and the lockdowns, how eating and purchasing habits have changed.    I have heard it called the Covid-5kg where some of our waistlines may have expanded due to eating excessive amounts of potato chips, home baking and drinking an extra beverage or two while watching Netflix.  Have eating habits changed to the point that less fruit and vegetables is being consumed long term, am I suffering from a COVID-19 can’t stop consuming unhealthy food disorder?   

This article I read showed a noticeable drop in fresh fruit consumed in lockdown by some Danes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7752855/

 

 

What could growers consider?

It’s difficult as uncertainty around Covid-19 continues.  I would certainly not cut corners or make radical changes, as you never know what next month will bring in terms of supply and demand.  Smaller growing operations may be in a position to use historical data to pin point times of the year it is better to be growing young plants rather than harvesting from mature plants.  Having a contract would be great with whomever you are selling your produce to.  For larger business, with locked in supply contracts, they have no choice but to produce in times of high volume and low prices to meet their obligations.   Smaller businesses or businesses with multiple growing compartments, may be in a better position to investigate alternate opportunities, such as growing berries, ginger, tropical fruit etc.

New Zealand’s combined greenhouse area of tomatoes, cucumbers and capsicums compared to other indoor produce grown is high.  With new high tech, energy efficient producing greenhouses built to grow tomatoes in the coming years it is also the ideal time to investigate new opportunities. 

 

 

I appreciate your comments.  Please feel free to comment on the grower2grower Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/StefanGrower2grower/

Article Written and compiled by Stefan Vogrincic, Consultant, Grower2Grower

Article Edited by Marie Vogrincic, Editor, Grower2Grower

 

CLASSIFIED

Subscribe to our E-Zine

Sign up here to subscribe to the Grower2grower Ezine. Every two weeks you will receive new articles, specific to the protected cropping industry, informing you of industry news and events straight to your inbox.

More

From This Category

EPA ‘Make it easier for applicants to apply in cases where chemicals have already been used safely in other countries’
June 3, 2025
EPA ‘Make it easier for applicants to apply in cases where chemicals have already been used safely in other countries’
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) says proposed changes to the rules for hazardous substances will give industry a clearer path for making use of new chemicals in New Zealand.
Growing kiwis and cherries from a greenhouse in Westland (Netherlands)
June 3, 2025
Growing kiwis and cherries from a greenhouse in Westland (Netherlands)
International article of the week - Learning how to grow successfully with Advice from New Zealand!
Investment Boost: 20% Tax Deduction for New Glasshouse Assets
June 2, 2025
Investment Boost: 20% Tax Deduction for New Glasshouse Assets
What It Means for Your Next Glasshouse Project: The New Zealand Government’s 2025 Budget included a significant update that could benefit growers looking to invest in new infrastructure: the Investment Boost scheme. This initiative is designed to stimulate business growth by providing a 20% tax deduction on the cost of new assets in the year of purchase. It’s a welcome development for growers planning to build or expand glasshouse operations.
Australia officially abandons eradication response of ToBRFV (What this means for New Zealand)
June 2, 2025
Australia officially abandons eradication response of ToBRFV (What this means for New Zealand)
The (Aus) horticulture industry, government and other industry stakeholders will work together to determine an appropriate long-term management strategy and trade protocol for ToBRFV.
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit, research shows
May 20, 2025
Climate crisis threatens the banana, the world’s most popular fruit, research shows
Banana Self-Sufficiency: A Growing Opportunity for New Zealand
Protected Cropping Australia respond to continued Australian Government ‘Mandatory Eradication Response’ to ToBRFV
May 20, 2025
Protected Cropping Australia respond to continued Australian Government ‘Mandatory Eradication Response’ to ToBRFV
Tomato growers on red alert for tomato brown rugose fruit virus: A cure worse than the disease
CLASSIFIED