Key Issues

The most important issues facing the Fresh Tomato Industry as with many other horticultural sectors are those relating to viability.

Financial Factors

Labour
Retail Price Sensitivity
Energy Use
Compliance Costs
Technological Advances

Environmental Factors

Land Use and Availability
Climate Change
Biosecurity
Food Safety
Pest and Pathogen Resistance

Market Factors

Communicating a positive image of the industry and tomatoes
Market Access and Competition
Consumer Demand

Viability of industries producing tomatoes and other produce with important health benefits is not only an industry issue. It is an issue for New Zealand society as a whole. Trends to address poor nutritional practices and the encouragement of healthier food choices depend on these choices being readily available. Thus the viability of primary produce and horticulture is of national importance.

Labour availability will increasingly be an issue as the demographic trends shift to an aging population and fewer skilled workers available to labour intensive industries. Compliance and other costs of business need to be offset with price movements to ensure profitability for growers to be prepared to remain in business for the longer term.

Environmental factors are becoming more significant as weather dependent industries feel the effect of climate change, and the increasing cost and constraints of land availability close to major urban centres.