Hoki quality not up to scratch, says food giant

By IRENE CHAPPLE

Unilever, which distributes frozen fish products through Europe, could turn its back on New Zealand hoki because of quality problems, fishermen were warned yesterday.

Volker Kuntzsch, the Germany-based buying director of Unilever subsidiary Frozen Fish International, served up a roasting at yesterday's Maori Commercial Fisheries Conference in Auckland.

British multinational Unilever buys its hoki exclusively from New Zealand because of its Marine Stewardship Council certification of sustainability.

This year it will buy 3500 tonnes of frozen fillet block, down from 8000 tonnes last year.

That was a big chunk of the total sales of 18,000 tonnes, earning $89 million.

Unilever sells in Europe under such brands as Birds Eye, iglo and Findus.

Kuntzsch said quality was becoming a serious problem.

The number of bloodshots in the fish - which led to complaints from customers - was continually pushing Unilever's quality standard, he said.

The problem had become so bad that the Netherlands now refused to take New Zealand hoki.

Kuntzsch said it would be some years before the Dutch would restock it.

Other species such as Alaska pollock, which is expected to get its MSC certification this year, would challenge hoki's place in European markets.

"Germany, the United Kingdom and other countries are saying, 'If you don't do something immediately we won't take your hoki - especially if another sustainable species comes up'."

Some of the larger fishing companies - including Sealord and Sanford - must increase the quality of their fish, Kuntzsch said.

That could be achieved by not dragging the hoki nets for so long, and by hiring good staff.

He said companies should not be afraid to pay more for good staff because it would earn them a return.

While Unilever's discontent had been hinted at last year in the Seafood industry magazine, Seafood Industry Council spokesman Simon Thomas said the message was delivered with more force yesterday.