VEGETABLE PRODUCTION 1 Vegetable Prices General

As with fruit, the prices paid to growers for vegetables vary markedly (sometimes by several hundred per cent) both within and between years and between districts. They vary daily and are very much dependent on climate and its subsequent effects on both availability and quality of vegetables offered.

Again, as with fruit, the location of the property in relation to population centres and the amount of produce that an individual producer provides over the course of a season, also influences prices received. Whether the produce is for local consumption or for export is another major influence for a small range of vegetables.

Wholesale prices paid at auction and details of contracts for process vegetables are often confidential, especially those for organically grown crops.

No prices were available in the Ministry of Primary Industries’ publications for 2011 or 2012 for anything other than very general figures, which are reproduced below.

Export Vegetable Values and Volumes 2008 to 2015

Actual Forecast

Year to 31 Dec 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012f 2013f 2014f 2015f Fresh veg (‘000 tonnes) 313 269 311 276 280 290 293 293 Process veg (‘000 tonnes) 188 168 169 188 200 210 220 220 Export value ($ million) 528 521 548 605 560 600 635 650

Source: Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries June 2012

1.13.2Asparagus

(i) Fresh - No data available in 2012

For the 2008/09 season growers received $2.85 per kg for fresh asparagus. In the 2007/08 season it was $2.15, and in the 2006/07 and 2005/06 seasons growers received $2.30 per kg. (ii) Process - No data available in 2012

For the 2008/09 season, processors offered $2.75 per kg to secure supply. In the 2006/07 season growers received $2.10 per kg, similar to prices in 2005 and 2003/04, which were approximately $2 per kg.

(iii) Export - No data available in 2012

Export prices FOB were $9.47 per kg for 2008/09, $6.54 per kg in 2007/08 and $6.51 per kg for the 2006/07 season.

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009

1.13.3Broccoli

Broccoli Price Trends - No data available in 2012

Average Price ($ per vegetable crate)

1.13.4Capsicum

The following table shows a range of prices for fresh greenhouse capsicums from one grower for the 2010/11 season. These are averages for green, red, yellow and orange capsicum. Prepacks and selling per capsicum, will inflate values compared with a grower packing only fruit sold per kg.

10/11 Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun $/kg 7.31 6.98 8.87 6.98 4.45 4.74 5.12 4.29 7.44 5.02 - (Further figures not available due to earthquake issues)

Capsicums exported to the end of June 2009, had a value FOB of $7.17 per kg assisted by favourable movements in the exchange rate. No data available in 2012

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009.

1.13.5Carrot

Fresh - No data available in 2012

No prices were available for the 2008 or 2009 seasons. For the year ended 31 March 2007, 8,675 tonnes were exported with an FOB value of $6 million ($691/tonne). Prices in the 2004/05 season were $360 per tonne, which was similar to the 2003/04 season. Lower North Island prices for washed and crowned carrots for 2002/2003 were $140/tonne.

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009.

1.13.6Cauliflower

Cauliflower Price Trends - No further data available in 2012 Average Price ($/vegetable crate)

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

$7.70 $8.50 $10 $7.00 $10 $8.50 $9.40

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009

1.13.7Kabocha (Squash)

(i) Local - No data available in 2012

Returns to growers for local and export markets for 2008/09 were approximately $500/tonne, $450/tonne in 2007/08 and $400/tonne in 2006/07, 2005/06 and 2004/05. (ii) Export

Squash Price Trends - No data available in 2012 $/tonne FOB

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

$680 $694 $572 $696 $789

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009.

1.13.8 Lettuce

Lettuce Price Trends – No data available in 2012

1.13.9 Onions (i) Fresh

Onion Price Trends - No data available in 2012

Average Price ($/tonne)

Approx returns to growers 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

Pukekohe $220 $350 $440 $350 $345

Canterbury $200 $300 $425 $350 $375

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009

Prices for bulk onions for most size grades in Manawatu, were:

2009 2010 2011 2012

January to March $450 tonne $600 tonne $800 tonne $450 tonne April to October $550 tonne $500 tonne $700 tonne $350 tonne November to December $700 tonne $650 tonne $700 tonne

Source: Morgan Laurenson Ltd.

(ii) Export

A Canterbury grower received prices ranging from $150 to $250/tonne in 2012.

Prices were $9 per 20kg bag in 2010, $8 per 20kg (55mm – 65mm) in 2009, compared with $6 per 20kg in 2007/08.

No data available in 2012

Export Price ($/tonne FOB)

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

$382 $510 $648 $553 $584

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009.

1.13.10 Peas

Process No data available in 2012

Returns to growers for local and export markets for 2008/09 were approximately $370/tonne, in 2007/08 and 2006/07 it was $265/tonne and $330/tonne in 2005/06.

Export Price frozen peas ($/tonne FOB)

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

$1,073 $1,130 $1,274 $1,337 $1,590

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009.

1.13.11 Potatoes

(i) Main Crop Potatoes No data available in 2012

Manawatu 2012 brushed potatoes $200 to $400/t 2011 brushed potatoes $300 to $500/t 2010 brushed potatoes $250 to $450/t 2009 brushed potatoes $200 to $400/t 2008 brushed potatoes $400 to $500/t 2007 brushed potatoes $350 to $425/t 2006 brushed potatoes $350 to $425/t 2005 brushed potatoes $150 to $275/t 2005 washed potatoes $300 to $500/t 2004 brushed potatoes $375 to $425/t 2004 washed potatoes $475 to $550/t 2003 brushed potatoes $225 to $350/t 2003 washed potatoes $400 to $550/t 2002 brushed potatoes $250 to $350/t 2002 washed potatoes $450 to $600/t 2001 brushed potatoes $275 to $400/t 2001 washed potatoes $475 to 600/t 2000 $160 to $300/t

Source: Morgan Laurenson Ltd.

Canterbury – Main Crop Potatoes

Prices Comments

2011 / 2012 $12/20kg / $8/20kg Peak / Winter 2010 / 2011 $12/20kg / $8/20kg Peak / Winter 2008 / 2009 $12/20kg / $8/20kg Peak / Winter 2007 / 2008 $12/20kg / $5/20kg Early / late in the season

2006 $500/tonne Early in the season

2005 $150/tonne In October

Southland – Main crop Potatoes Price Range 2012 from $400 to $450/t 2011 $450/t 2010 $450/t 2006 - 2009 from $400 to $450/t 2005 from $200 to $250/t (ii) Process No data available in 2012

Average price for process potatoes were as follows ($/tonne) NI = North Is, SI = South Is

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

$170 SI / $220 NI $170 $165 $165 $230

NB Prices from 2005/06 onwards are for Canterbury only.

(iii) Export No data available in 2012

Export Price for Potatoes ($/tonne FOB)

2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

Fresh potatoes $449 $424 $519 $620 $592

Processed potatoes $931 $934 $940 $910 $1,076

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009

In 2012 a Canterbury grower received $250/tonne compared to $300 to $350/tonne in 2010. The 2008/2009 season was $280/tonne and $350/tonne in 2007/08.

1.13.12 Sweet Corn

Process No data available in 2012

Returns to growers in 2008/09 were approximately $225/tonne, $175/tonne in 2007/08 and $170/tonne in 2006/07. The 2005/06 prices were $150/tonne, same as the 2004/05 season.

Export Price for Frozen Sweetcorn ($/tonne FOB) 2008/09 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 2004/05

$1,833 $1,578 $1,600 $1,608 $1,494

Source: MAF Horticulture and Arable Monitoring Report 2009

1.13.13 Tomatoes

Fresh No data available in 2012

For the year ending 30 June 2009, export earnings for fresh tomatoes were on average $2.95/kg FOB. In May 2007 prices on the local market were high at $4 to $6/kg. Typically they ranged from $3 to $3.50/kg. Export prices for the year ended 31 March 2007, were $2.65/kg, with 2,939 tonnes exported for a value of $7.8 million.

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