Carrot growers want to control market

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 34, 12 February 1985, Page 13

Carrot growers want to control market

Ohakune's carrot producers have the resources to control the price of carrots in city markets and should attempt to do so, President of the Ohakune Growers' As-. sociation, Mr Peter Hammond, said this week. Peter believes that 1985 is an important year for the industry because of an increase in freight costs, wage increases and devaluation. "The prospects are not bright if we continue to put so many carrots on the market. We have the resources to control the sale of carrots and we should use it. "It is evident from last year that putting more carrots in the ground will not overcome the problems of low prices," he added. One of the association's main weapons in fighting the carrot surplus, which results in poor prices for crops, is to continue producing a high quality product and continue with its promotional campaign.

One of the major promotional events of recent years was the unveiling of the 'giant carrot' last October which attracted much media and public interest. The Growers' Association recently held a 'working bee' at the carrot site and erected a picnic bench, cleared the ground and did some repair work to the rockery. The Growers' Association has now finished their plans for the carrot area and Peter says it is now up to the Ohakune Borough Council to maintain the area — "because it is their carrot." The association members are also looking at diversification into other crops.

The acreage of brussel sprouts is up by twenty-five percent on last year, which is a significant increase. "There is much potential for brussel sprout crops grown in thi$ area," says Peter. Omaru in the South Island is as well known for its sprouts as Ohakune is for carrots. "But we have an advantage over them because freight costs from here are much lower to the major city markets and so we are starting to compete with them," says Peter. Carrot growers in this area began harvesting several weeks ago and brussel sprout growers will begin harvesting very soon.