Editorial: Imported veg leaves sour taste

Heinz Wattie's will source asparagus in Peru.

Moves by Heinz Wattie's to source asparagus from Peru, thus meaning about 10 local growers face an uncertain future, should be of concern to all of us.

In a story in our rural section, The Land, today we quote a Heinz Wattie's spokesman saying "no definite decision" had been made over whether some local asparagus would be used in the coming season.

In November, Heinz Wattie's group marketing manager Caroline Jones said the decision to source from Peru, "the world asparagus capital", was purely supply driven and not a cost-saving activity.

"Over many years we have done everything we can to secure enough asparagus from local growers. However, they have been unable to supply enough for our total production requirements."

Despite the cut, New Zealand Asparagus Council Hawke's Bay representative and grower Lindsay Kay said none of the growers have removed plants following the announcement. He said the Bay growers who supplied the company last season still had options.

Wattie's may feel justified in looking overseas to source produce and local growers may have other options, but these sorts of developments simply aren't good for our region.

I understand that companies, especially big ones like Wattie's need to do what is best for their business, but for our province to survive and thrive economically, we do need to have businesses connecting with our local farmers, orchardists and growers.

Let's hope an arrangement suitable to both parties can be reached.