WELLINGTON: One of New Zealand’s longest-standing tinned-foods makers, Heinz Wattie, is abandoning Kiwi asparagus growers.
But a local processor has indicated his company will step in and support the asparagus growers that Heinz Watties have dropped in favour of Peruvian.Hawke’s Bay processor Mount Erin Pacific, which cans for a variety of brands, said that at a meeting on Thursday, growers had agreed to supply the company.
“We are putting together a package and the growers say they will support the programme,” general manager Brian Kelly said.
In a statement, Heinz Watties said it had “reluctantly” decided not to proceed with asparagus processing next season “due to insufficient volumes to meet sustainable processing requirements”.The company had been able to source only a third of its requirements in New Zealand, it said.
Asparagus would be sourced from Peru which was regarded as “the world’s asparagus capital”.
Heinz Watties managing director Mike Pretty said it had been a difficult decision, but that the company had to compete for supply with the fresh and export markets which had grown significantly over the past 10 years.It was “constrained by the price that consumers are willing to pay for canned product.”
Hawke’s Bay grower Lindsay Kay said he and other growers had been informed of the decision earlier this week.”Heinz Watties owe it to the people of New Zealand to honour the origins of the company which are kiwi,” he said.
It was time for country of origin labelling. He believed consumers would be attracted to a “New Zealand-made” marketing programme.Heinz Watties said it continued to be focused on supporting local produce wherever possible.
Mr Kay said there were question marks over the future of a number of different canned products, including peaches and plums.The Heinz Watties decision affects up to 15 growers in Hawke’s Bay and several in the Rangitikei. Growers elsewhere sell their asparagus fresh on the domestic market or to Japan.
About 3000 tonnes of asparagus is produced in New Zealand a year, of which 2500 is sold into the domestic market, 300 tonnes goes to Japan and the remainder is canned.
