Maize farmers want more

Federated Farmers today said maize growers will need a minimum of $400 a tonne for their produce.

Growers are about to start negotiating prices for next season.

Colin MacKinnon from the Maize Growers section said producers need to know they will get a decent return, otherwise the land will be lost to other uses.

He said growers are already under pressure from low prices and high costs, with fertiliser costs rising 70 per cent in the last month and other burdens such as a rise in compliance charges and council rates.

Mr MacKinnon said growers are still receiving the same prices for their maize as they were in the 1980s.

- NEWSTALK ZB