The world in which we operate is becoming increasingly uncertain, with geopolitical shifts, climate change impacts, and evolving trade dynamics creating a complex landscape for our industry. The current tariff situation being driven by the USA serves as a stark example of these growing global uncertainties, highlighting the important role of a proactive and responsive industry body like Summerfruit NZ, which prioritises putting growers first in the face of these evolving challenges.
To ensure Summerfruit NZ is delivering what you, our growers, want and need, we have recently released our proposal document for consultation regarding the upcoming commodity levy vote, scheduled for August this year. This document outlines how we propose to focus our efforts and allocate levy monies to support the industry's success now and into the future, guided by our values of collaborating for impact, embracing innovation, adopting a value chain mindset, championing sustainability, and operating with efficiency and alignment.
Crucially, this consultation is about ensuring that our proposed strategic direction resonates with you. The document details areas of focus such as market access, biosecurity, research, and advocacy. We are actively seeking your feedback to ensure these priorities truly reflect the needs and aspirations of our grower community, as we face an increasingly uncertain world.
A significant step in bolstering our industry's resilience, particularly in the face of potential biosecurity threats, was the signing of a new Operational Agreement (OA) with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on 8 April. This agreement, operating under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) framework, signifies a strengthened partnership where we will work closely with MPI to ensure robust readiness and response measures are in place for any incursions that could significantly impact our sector. This collaborative approach, where primary industry and government share responsibility for biosecurity management, is vital for protecting New Zealand’s summerfruit industry, economy, and environment.
We strongly encourage all members to review the consultation document, which can be accessed here: https://www.summerfruitnz.co.nz/assets/Levy-Renewal/2025/SUM-5837-Commodity-Levy-Proposal-2025-FA-web1.pdf
Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the final levy proposal and ensuring that Summerfruit NZ's activities directly address your needs and support the success of your business as we navigate the uncertainties ahead.
We urge all members to actively participate in the levy proposal consultation. Your voice is essential in ensuring that Summerfruit NZ continues to effectively represent your interests and deliver the support you need to achieve lasting success in the New Zealand summerfruit industry amidst a climate of increasing global uncertainty.