Some parties in New Zealand have voiced their suspicions that the nation is exporting its best stuff to other countries. United Fresh New Zealand project manager Carmel Ireland said, traditionally, the quality of exported products was top grade. The majority of fresh exports was made up of kiwifruit and apples. Ireland: “Domestically we can buy top grade and secondary products – we have both options available on our supermarket shelves.”
Bron Kemp of independent grower and seller Twisted Citrus said often supermarkets would purchase tag two fruit to cater to budget conscious shoppers because it was cheaper but many stuck with tag one: “The only difference between export grade tag one fruit and tag two fruit is appearance and size profile, so although they don’t look as good, they should taste the same, unless they have been cool-stored for a few weeks prior to reaching the supermarket.”
Ajay Jina of Jina’s World of Fresh Produce, said it was not true that export markets were getting better produce: “Many NZ exporters have predetermined customers overseas. Some of these are years in the making. Each of these customers may have their own unique specifications and requirements of the type of produce they require. Be it size and/or grade. We have some of the best produce in the world for our climate and you only have to travel to certain parts of the world to understand this.”
Source: stuff.co.nz
