Road closures in the Coromandel and Gisborne are causing problems for businesses and supply chains. In both regions, rain has damaged roads and causing slips. The closure of State Highway 2 between and Ōpōtiki and Gisborne has hampered freight deliveries, including those of fresh vegetables.
Supermarket giant Countdown has advised its customers some fruit and vegetables will be in limited supply as producers are struggling to get their stock out of Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. One of those was vegetable supplier LeaderBrand. Chief executive Richard Burke said there should not be shortages at supermarkets because all the crops are also grown in other regions.
Mayor of Thames-Coromandel Len Salt said it had been a tough time for Coromandel businesses with State Highway 25A out of commission. But he said they were working on improving the wider roading network. At the moment State Highway 25A is expected to reopen early to mid- 2024.
Source: rnz.co.nz
