New Zealand garlic growers say they are being put out of business by a flood of cheap Chinese imports.
Marlborough is the centre of garlic-growing in New Zealand, but this year 30 per cent less was planted in the region, and one large grower has left the industry.
Pat Murphy, marketing
manager for a group of growers and a grower himself, said there were now seven major garlic growers in New Zealand, down from 11 three years ago.
"This is a direct result of the impact of importation of vast quantities of Chinese garlic."
He said it was hard to establish just how much Chinese garlic was imported to New Zealand because a large amount was re-exported, particularly to the Pacific Islands.
"My guess is that approximately 50 per cent of all garlic sold at retail in New Zealand is now of Chinese origin. It has grown to this level rapidly with significant imports beginning only five years ago."
Mr Murphy said New Zealand garlic was still highly regarded in export markets, especially Australia, where consumers will buy nothing else. Some New Zealand supermarkets had the same policy.
While the New Zealand industry produces all its garlic under the Fresh Produce programme, Mr Murphy said he was surprised retailers were selling Chinese garlic and not questioning how it was grown and whether it was irradiated.
He said major British supermarkets took garlic off their shelves in 2000 and went looking for an alternative supply which could give food-safety guarantees. Some of that came from New Zealand.
The New Zealand industry had invested in an expensive seed-propagation programme, but barriers to the importation of improved seed varieties made that difficult.
Mr Murphy said that despite the struggle against "mountains of imports" growers were confident they had a viable future because consumers recognised the difference between safe food and cheap food.
- NZPA
