NZ: Slow harvest for asparagus market
Asparagus growers in northern Manawatu and Rangitikei are not picking yet, and are expecting the cold weather to slow up their harvest by several days.
Kiwitea growers said before the cold weather hit they were gearing up for harvest this week, but they were now looking at a start next week.
Rangitikei growers were expecting to start harvesting on October 2.
Tender Tips co-owner Geoff Lewis said the Levin-Foxton company started harvesting early after a mild winter, but was hit hard by cold temperatures early this week.
The business has asparagus paddocks on lighter sand country.
"Asparagus growth is dependent on soil and air temperatures. We are harvesting about 1 tonne a day at the moment. In the peak, about halfway through next month, we'll be doing about 6 tonnes a day."
Lewis said there had been some days of 20 degrees Celsius but the weather had reverted to its real spring pattern, with temperatures fluctuating wildly.
"At the moment, all the asparagus we're harvesting is going to the local market. Most of it is going to the lower North Island and the South Island."
Lewis said Tender Tips was employing more New Zealanders to harvest, instead of relying on workers from overseas.
He said the company had been planning to export later in the season, but unlike many currencies, Japan's yen had weakened against the New Zealand dollar, as Japan had struggled economically.
Japan was where Tender Tips exported most of its asparagus in the past. But Lewis said some will go to the Australian market.
The packhouse has about 30 employees and will peak at 50 staff.
"We are harvesting a tonne a day, but that will go up quickly, doubling most weeks."
Source: stuff.co.nz
