Many of you likely saw or heard me in the media last week, talking about Wattie’s decision to buy fewer Hawke’s Bay peaches due to declining demand for New Zealand-grown canned peaches. This news has resonated strongly with Kiwis, and it's understandable why. Wattie's is a cherished, iconic New Zealand brand, and the news came at a time when many are already facing economic hardship.
This announcement is particularly concerning for our growers. We know this industry requires significant long-term investment, and any sudden shift in demand is a serious challenge. We want to acknowledge the difficult position those impacted are in right now. We understand this is a deeply concerning and stressful time for some of you, and we're committed to supporting you.
On a more positive note, the significant media attention has raised the profile of our industry and highlighted the importance of buying local. This public concern shows that Kiwis care about New Zealand producers. We plan to build on this momentum, encouraging a "buy local" approach as we head into the summerfruit season. We need more Kiwis buying locally grown summerfruit, whether it's processed or fresh.
In response to the media attention, several parties have reached out with potential commercial opportunities for affected growers. While Summerfruit NZ can't comment on the viability of these, we want to ensure you have every chance to explore them. We are keen to connect with you directly so we can best support you through this. If you are an affected grower and would like to learn about these opportunities, please reach out to me at dean.smith@summerfruitnz.co.nz.
We're here to help, and we're committed to working alongside you to navigate these challenges."
Young Grower of the Year Final
I was fortunate to attend the Young Grower of the Year final in Canterbury on 11 September. It was a truly excellent event, and in my opinion, the calibre of the contestants gets better every year. The event itself was also incredibly well-run.
Congratulations to the overall winner, Phoebe Scherer, a technical lab manager for Apata in Tauranga. We also need to give a special shout-out to our very own summerfruit industry representative, Lydia Goodman, who won the Outstanding Leadership Award. Lydia, representing Central Otago, is the assistant orchard manager at Central Orchard Management and the packing manager at CentralPac. Well done, Lydia!
Clyde Orchards' new RSE facility
Congratulations also to The Paulin Family, Kris Robb, and the team at Clyde Orchards on the official opening of their new RSE facility. It was inspiring to see this modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation that was thoughtfully designed in consultation with the men and women it will house. This is a fantastic example of a business prioritising the well-being and voice of its people. A true partnership!