Crop failures after Cyclone Gita

Early days yet but this is a hint of what is the come. 

Just wait for multiple crop failures around the world that will be upon us “faster than previously expected”

The scientists will be once again caught unexpected

Gita destruction spills over to New Zealand dinner plates, with produce prices spiking

Radio NZ,

6 March, 2018

Zucchinis, or courgettes, were in short supply due to the wet, humid weather.

Ex-cyclone Gita is still causing conundrums, although now they're confined to the kitchen.

New Zealand shoppers are experiencing price hikes in the fresh produce section due to the damage done by Gita.

"The vegetables don't like to swim," Foodstuffs NZ spokeswoman Sue Hamilton said.

123RF

Crops of cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce were those most affected by ex-cyclone Gita.

Foodstuffs, which runs New World and Pak'nSave supermarkets, was in short supply of cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and salad vegetables.

"We were hoping this would be resolved in the next couple of weeks, so that's what what everyone has got their fingers crossed for, that things will start to level out," Hamilton said.

The shortage came at a time of the year when people would usually expect a "fabulous" supply of fresh produce, she said.

"Regrettably the weather and its impacts are out of our hands."

The struggle has extended to ready-meal provider My Food Bag, which is having to re-imagine different recipes in light of the shortage. 

Cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy and leafy green products were all affected, fresh produce purchasing manager Naomi Moses said.

"Also some root vegetables like kumara have been affected due to growers not being able to get into the fields and harvest which then puts us into limited supply."

She said if a product is not available, or not up to scratch, the company's chefs come up with recipes to suggest alternative products.

"Customers are generally very understanding as no one can control 'mother nature' and we are making sure they get the best of what's available."

Moses said the word from the growers was that the shortage will last around 10 days, but some products could take a little longer to bounce back.

My Food Bag sources about 97 per cent of its produce from New Zealand growers. 

Stats NZ said avocado and pumpkin prices had already more than doubled in the year to January. 

Prices for some produce had been affected by adverse weather during winter and spring, consumer prices manager Geoffrey Wong said.

The average price of a 200g avocado was $2.78 in January, compared with $1.29 in January 2017.