Today's March Food Price Index release has shown another month of disruption to the country's fresh produce industry following a challenging summer. Fruit and vegetable prices in March were up 22.2 percent compared to March 2022.
Months of tropical conditions, rain, wind and cyclones have seen growers throughout the North Island struggle to put food on our tables. While the dominant La Niña weather pattern that brought this weather is switching to an El Niño one, the horticulture industry warned that significant challenges remain.
President of United Fresh, Jerry Prendergast, said the supply and demand model of the fresh produce industry means price fluctuations are unavoidable.
"Growing fresh fruit and vegetables is a complex and high-pressure undertaking with many variables," shared Prendergast.
Fruit and vegetables are particularly affected and are exposed to the elements, which gives New Zealand-grown produce delicious flavour and high nutrient levels. However, this makes New Zealand-grown produce susceptible and vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
Prendergast further stated that the weather damage resulted in resetting the growing process, which takes three to four months for crops such as carrots, potatoes and cauliflower.
"If prices are high, demand and stock are low, so we always advise shoppers to buy fresh fruit and vegetables in season. Buying a summer favourite such as tomatoes in late autumn will cost more than in January."
Prendergast noted that the FPI (Food Price Index) didn't reflect the whole fruit and vegetable pricing story.
The President of United Fresh elaborated that the FPI used a standardised 'basket' of goods, which did not account for special promotions and seasonal pricing unique to the fruit and vegetable market. These are unique aspects that consumers can utilise to their advantage when shopping.
Prendergast further stated that if consumers applied these factors to their shopping, they would find their costs had not risen nearly as much.
Furthermore, Prendergast stated that as growers clean up orchards and replant, the fresh produce market would soon return to stable trading conditions. However, Prendergast warned that long-term challenges remain.
"Like every other industry, we're still battling the high fuel and fertiliser costs and the labour shortage. While everyone is looking hard at cutting costs as much as possible, we can't avoid passing some of that expense on."
More information about the monthly Food Price Index can be found on the StatsNZ Tatauranga Aotearoa website.
