Mandarin growers are getting lower prices for their fruit this season due to soft demand, with consumers spending less.
Johnny Reed, who grows 24ha of satsuma and silverhill mandarins in Kaitāia, said crews had been harvesting for about two weeks.
The quality was high this year because of hot, dry weather, but the price he was being paid was lower, Reed said.
“Prices are terrible this season, I think it’s just the economy; mandarins are classed as a treat, it’s not a staple food, so when people don’t have extra money to spend, they don’t buy them.