Product Group > Roots & Tubers
Overview
The vegetable crops covered by this product committee are carrots, kumara, beetroot, parsnips, yams, and taro. Fresh potatoes are represented by Potatoes New Zealand.
Over 90% of carrots produced are exported fresh, valued at $6.5 million in 2006. The main export market for fresh carrots is Japan followed by Pacific Islands, together taking 76% of export volumes and representing 81% of export values. High quality and exceptional presentation are requirements of the Japanese market. The size of these two markets in terms of both volume and value has remained static since 2004.
The remainder of exports are spread across 13 countries with volumes no greater than 580 tonnes. Exports to Australia have declined significantly as a result of market access problems ( pest identification) beginning in 2002 when exports were in excess of $1 million. Exports to South East Asia markets have declined by 75% volume due to competition from China.
Kumara production is mainly concentrated in the alluvial plains of the Northern Wairoa River (Northland) where approximately 90% of product for the New Zealand fresh and processing industry is grown. Four major packhouses now wash and grade product to a uniform industry standard. Around 20,000 tonnes are produced, which is worth around $35 million on the domestic market.
The industry continues to seek access to varieties with higher yield, better quality and lower mutation rates. Kumara is harvested in February and stored, and the longer it is held, the sweeter it becomes. This vegetable is not related to the potato. Approximately 36 tonnes of fresh kumara are exported, mainly to the European Union.
Violet Root Rot
This project, funded by MAF Sustainable Farming Fund and the Fresh Vegetable Product Group, will improve knowledge and develop control measures for the disease causing fungus Violet Root Rot (VRR). Violet Root Rot is a major problem of the vegetable industry in the Ohakune district. Previous attempts to control VRR have been unsuccessful, and growers have no proven tools to combat the disease.
A series of field trials will be established in commercial crops to identify the most effective fumigants, application rates, frequency, and timing. Trial sites will also serve as demonstration blocks for district growers.
Grower's rotation practices (e.g. potatoes, pasture, or fallow) will be reviewed to see if there are any consistent patterns that could assist in developing an integrated disease management strategy. Click here to view the project summary document, or click here to download the final report.
Issues
Market access issues relate to the perceived presence of sweet potato weevil in New Zealand. New Zealand has provided data to show that sweet potato weevil does not exist here. Markets affected are Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. New access is being sought into Australia.
Statistics (2006)
Roots & Tubers Overview
 |
Carrots |
|
Kumara |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
110 |
90 |
||
|
Area planted |
1,800 hectares |
1,000 hectares |
||
|
Production |
65,000 |
20,000 tonnes |
||
|
Exports |
$6.5 million |
$67,000 |
