INDEPENDENT NEWS

Long hot summer - delicious tomato crop at great prices

Published: Thu 14 Mar 2013 04:18 PM
Media release
TomatoesNZ
14 March 2013
Sweet as! Long hot summer results in delicious tomato crop at great prices
The long hot summer has proved the ideal climate for tomato growing, with a bumper crop of sweet ripe fruit.
TomatoesNZ, Vice Chairman, Frank Van Rijen said that with tomatoes retailing around $2/kg it’s an ideal time to enjoy plenty of your favourite tomato recipes.
“Fresh tomatoes are great eating and excellent value right now,” said Mr Van Rijen. “If you are planning on making preserves or pasta sauces or soups to bottle or freeze for winter, then this is also the ideal time to take advantage of great seasonal prices.
“Contrary to some recent media reports that the drought has driven up tomato prices, they are selling for similar wholesale prices to the comparable period last year.
“In fact, the consistently hot growing conditions, which result in increased sugar levels, have greatly assisted in the production of a large crop of very high quality tomatoes.”
Mr Van Rijen said that growers had maintained a very strong focus on the supply chain following harvest to ensure that, despite the extended sizzling summer conditions, fruit quality was maintained all the way through to the consumer.
However, as the peak summer production season draws to an end and growers begin having to heat their greenhouses, there will be an increase in tomato prices.
“The current great prices won’t last for ever,” said Mr Van Rijen. “Growers face significantly increased costs over the cold seasons. However, right now there’s still the opportunity to enjoy all the delicious benefits of this summer’s very bountiful crop.”
For more information about the commercial Tomato Industry please visit www.tomatoesnz.co.nz
ENDS

Next in Business, Science, and Tech

General Practices Begin Issuing Clause 14 Notices In Relation To The NZNO Primary Practice Pay Equity Claim
By: Genpro
Global Screen Industry Unites For Streaming Platform Regulation And Intellectual Property Protections
By: SPADA
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media