Canned asparagus source causes stink

HEINZ Wattie’s has not totally canned the New Zealand asparagus industry, a Hawke’s Bay grower says.

Asparagus Council representative Lindsay Kay said some growers had been financed by Heinz Wattie’s into the industry several years ago.

The multi-national was criticised this month for sourcing canned asparagus from Peru for sale in New Zealand.

‘‘Some of that debt is still outstanding and they want to recover it by canning the asparagus – but that would be the only reason for taking Hawke’s Bay asparagus,’’ Kay said.

He said Heinz Wattie’s had several years ago employed a young agronomist who was ‘‘very forward-thinking’’ and tried to establish some goodwill among the growers. However, he had been overruled by the company’s accountants.

‘‘Canning is important as a safety valve, because when asparagus is in full flush it is almost an embarrassment. This happens several times a season,’’ Kay said.

Growers could not always count on supermarkets and the export market to take all their asparagus at such times.

A Heinz Wattie’s spokesman said canned as- paragus imports had become more usual to help ensure market stability for consumers in a ‘‘volatile supply environment’’.

In the 2014-15 season, Heinz Wattie’s had received less than a third of its requirement for canning from local growers, and the previous season less than half.

Growers say the reason they have been reluctant to supply Heinz Wattie’s is because of the poor prices they are paid, compared to what they receive for fresh asparagus.

Meanwhile, Process Vegetables New Zealand has raised the spectre of Heinz Wattie’s rejecting other local products for canning because they can source them elsewhere at a cheaper price.

Process Vegetable NZ business manager John Seymour said his organisation represented growers producing beans, beetroot, carrots, peas and sweet corn. It did not represent asparagus, which had its own industry group.

‘‘The natural assumption is that if this [asparagus] is all about price, the situation could flow on to other crops,’’ Seymour said.

‘‘If it comes down to price they’ll just do the price equation.’’

A Heinz Wattie’s spokesman has said that the company was processing all the New Zealand peas it could get its hands on.