SUPPORT FOR TOMATO GROWERS AFFECTED BY FLOODING

Dinah

I have tried to make phone contact with all fresh tomato growers based in the areas that saw extensive flooding in late January and again after Cyclone Gabrielle. For the most part, tomato growers were able to cope with the record-breaking rain that has fallen on top of already saturated land and waterways.

For those that did have damage to their properties, I was able to direct them to some support. If you need help as a result of flooding, please do let me know. Various relief funds exist which I can direct you to. You can also check out the dedicated page on the Horticulture New Zealand website here: www.hortnz.co.nz/compliance/flood-support/

We have a useful poster Greenhouse Hygiene Measures and booklet Vegetable Growers’ On-Farm Biosecurity Manual. These publications are not new but they are still relevant, and available to any grower that would like copies. Please email dinah.cohen@hortnz.co.nz with your address and how many copies you would like.

In the coming weeks, if your plants had roots under water, it will be necessary to keep a check for disease. As you will know, stress on plants can take some time to show, but can be alleviated by using the right product. Reach out to your fellow growers or a consultant for advice if you spot anything different. With the warm humid conditions in the South Auckland area and beyond, infestations of pests could also get out of control very quickly. Make sure all those working with your plants are particularly vigilant and get on top of pests as soon as they appear to avoid plants being overwhelmed.

Most growers have been happy that tomato prices have stayed high over the summer season. As you will know there are lots of reasons behind this. While the prices paid by consumers at supermarkets are not the prices received by growers, here is the latest from the Consumer Price Index.