The final levy proposal: one strong voice

The HortNZ Board is proposing a grower levy of 15 cents for every $100 of sales on all fruit and vegetables, taking effect from the first year of the new levy (2013–14).

This will be the maximum levy rate under the new levy order. This is the same as
the maximum levy rate in the current HortNZ Levy Order.

The major change since the last referendum is because HortNZ can no longer
rely on the Fruitgrowers' Charitable Trust to top up the fruit growers' levy, we are
proposing that all growers pay the same levy rate.

The proposed levy rate is forecast to raise about $2.5 million for HortNZ work on
industry wide issues in 2013–14.

It is proposed the levy will operate in the same way as the existing HortNZ levy.

That is:

• it will be calculated as a percentage of the gross sales value for domestic sales and a percentage of the free on board value for exports,
• it will be deducted from payments made to growers at the first point of sale by wholesalers, exporters, processors and post harvest entities.

Vegetables New Zealand, potato, process vegetable and fresh tomato growers now paying an integrated HortNZ and Product Group levy should have received information in the mail about the proposed Product Group portion of the levies which will be additional to the HortNZ rate. This information is also below. Please contact these product groups directly for more information.

Vegetable Final Levy Proposal Overview
Fresh Tomato http://www.tomatoesnz.co.nz/
Vegetables New Zealand http://www.freshvegetables.co.nz/
Process Vegetables
Onions New Zealand http://www.onionsnz.com/
Potatoes New Zealand http://nzpotatoes.co.nz/