HortNZ's response to the Commerce Commission's draft report on supermarkets
Grower returns have not increased for at least 10 years. However, retail prices and costs - labour, freight, compliance,
etc - have steadily increased [see Farm share of retail prices, NZIER report, August 2019].
HortNZ supports any move to ensure that growers get a better return on their investment, so that they will continue to
invest in fruit and vegetable growing so New Zealanders can eat healthy, locally produced food.
We support the introduction of a mandatory Industry Code of Practice, to increase transparency and reverse the imbalance
of power that the Commerce Commission has identified.
New Zealanders have a stark choice. If they want to eat fresh, healthy New Zealand-grown vegetables, they must be
prepared to support the New Zealand growers who grow them. Otherwise, New Zealand will have to start importing more
frozen and canned vegetables.HortNZ Chief Executive, Nadine Tunley