TomatoesNZ Board Initiatives

Much thought and discussion goes into how the TNZ Board can best utilise its resources and what would most benefit its grower members.  To further focus how the board prioritises its initiatives and activities they are currently in the process of developing a TomatoesNZ Strategy document.  This has been being developed over a period of time and is now close to completion.   Below are other initiatives currently being worked on or investigated.

Market Monitoring

A number of horticultural industry groups collect production and sales information that can be used to provide information for forward planning as well as showing trends over time.  This is often referred to as Market Monitoring.  The TNZ Board is looking into implementing a market monitoring initiative for the fresh tomato industry.  The aim would be to utilise planting and production data as well as wholesale volumes and prices to better understand market dynamics.  Ultimately this will enable growers to benchmark themselves against industry averages and assist in planning and business decisions.

Although in its early stages approaches made to businesses likely to be involved in providing data indicate a willingness to be involved and see the value to the industry as a whole.   Areas that will be considered of utmost importance and at the forefront of any planning would be maintaining integrity and confidentiality of all information provided, presenting data in a collated manner so that no individual businesses information can be identified and ensuring permission is granted to access any data.  Other areas that need to be considered are ensuring that collated information is presented in a manner that is both useful and user friendly and also who will have access to the information once collated. 

Discussion Groups

Last year a very successful Grower Discussion Group was held at Status Produce.  Feedback from many that attended was that they would be interested in further on-going discussion groups – possibly facilitated at a local level.  TNZ is currently considering how this would look and what level of involvement TNZ would need to set up or facilitate these discussion groups.  Some areas of consideration are

• How many growers should be in each group?
• How often should they be – e.g. twice a year before and after the season?
• Are there some specific topics or people that you would like included?

If you would be interested in being involved in or facilitating a discussion group or just have some thoughts on how it might work please contact Melanie Dingle on 04 470 5666 or melanie.dingle@hortnz.co.nz.

TomatoesNZ Website

By the time you read this the new TomatoesNZ website will be live.  You will have received an email or letter telling you that your login and password will not have changed.  This is different from what was initially indicated and we may in future look at changing passwords to email addresses but at this stage it is status quo.  If you are experiencing any difficulties accessing or logging in to the website please contact Lynda Banks on 04 494 9981 or email Lynda.Banks@hortnz.co.nz.    

 

MPI Monitoring of Irradiated Australian Tomato Labelling

Once again the importation of Irradiated Australian tomatoes has instigated much discussion around the requirements for labelling.  A recent complaint forwarded to TNZ provided information about a retailer selling Australian tomatoes without irradiation signage and also labelling them as New Zealand tomatoes.  MPI responded to this complaint by firstly visiting the retailer and confirming that both the allegations were correct.  They then wrote a warning letter to the company directors indicating the next time this situation arises they may be prosecuted.  Also, MPI referred the issue to the Commerce Commission as labelling the tomatoes as New Zealand rather than Australian breaches the Fair Trading Act.  We are hopeful that this sends a clear message that labelling Irradiated Australian tomatoes is a legal obligation and when not done correctly may result in significant consequences.