The asparagus industry
The Asparagus Product Group has 90 asparagus growers. In 2009 total production was in the vicinity of 2,160 tonnes, from 600 hectares of planted land. Production is destined for fresh local supply, processing and export. About half of the asparagus grown is consumed by the local market, the rest is exported or processed. Japan is the major overseas market for fresh product. The export value of the 2009 fresh asparagus crop was $5.1 million (including processed products). Waikato, the south west North Island, and Hawke's Bay are the main producing areas.
The Asparagus Council is comprised of elected growers from the regions, Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, South Island, SW North Island. It also includes representation from the export, fresh and processed sectors. The Council meets 2-3 times per year.Contacts
George Turney (Chairman)
RD 7
Mangaweka 4797
Ph 06 382 5588
Mobile 021 2466 706
e: grandob@gmail.com
Michelle de Jong (Business Manager)
Horticulture NZ
PO Box 10232
Wellington 6143
Mobile 021 504658
e: michelle.dejong@hortnz.co.nz
David Rickman (Waikato)
117 Taylor Street
Cambridge 3434
Ph 07 827 7859
Mobile 0274 761 961
dandkrickman@xtra.co.nz Dr Peter Falloon (Research) (South Island)
Dr Peter Falloon (Research) (South Island)
PO Box 36
Lincoln 7640
Ph 03 325 2459
Mobile 027 592 5155
e: peter.falloon@clear.net.nz
Lindsay Kay (Hawkes’ Bay)
153 Turamoe Rd
R D 11
Hastings
Ph 06 878 2347
Mobile 027 232 2077
e: kay.farm@waspnet.co.nz
POST HARVEST (Fresh)
Rob Quinn
Fresh Direct Ltd
PO Box 17 470
Auckland 1546
Ph 09 573 4100
Mobile 021 2448 065
e: rquinn@freshdirect.co.nz
The man activities of the Council are:
• To have input into and fund research initiatives via the Vegetable Research Innovation Board;
• To have input into submissions where asparagus growing may be affected;
• To represent the industry on GAP
• To manage the DRAP programme for exports to Japan
• To support and promote asparagus promotions
• To produce the Asparagus Growers manual;
• To hold a grower conference
• To develop a growth strategy for the industry
• Weekly sales monitoring during the season.
Commodity Levy
The Council is funded through a compulsory commodity levy which is $100 per ha of planted asparagus. Growers pay this levy annually.
The Commodity levy is reviewed every six years and is due to for renewal in 2012. A levy referendum will take place in September 2011.
Asparagus Manual
The manual was updated in 2010 and is useful guide to growers and other industry stake holders on growing, harvesting and management of asparagus. Copies are available for purchase from the Council for $100 plus gst.
DRAP
In order to export asparagus to Japan, exporters must be registered annually with the Council and undertake to fulfil the requirements of the programme. This is an official Government assurance programme audited by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
Registration takes place before the export season commences.
Promotion
The Council may fund District Associations promotional programmes based on merit. Associations are required to submit a promotional plan for approval to the Council in July. The Council also makes a small contribution to vegetables.co.nz.
Asparagus Conference 2011
The Asparagus Conference and AGM will be held Thursday 26 and Friday 27 May at the Outdoor Education Centre, Kawhatau, Mangaweka.
Please contact Michelle de Jong on michelle.dejong@hortnz.co.nz for more information or ring 021 504658.
