Kumara prices tripled in 2023 but relief is in sight

Saturday, 20 January 2024

Kūmara prices hit record highs last year, but relief is in sight for sweet potato fans.

Average kūmara prices almost tripled last year, rising from $4.37 per kilogram in January to $12.98 per kilogram in September, according to Stats NZ.

By November, the most recent month for which data is available, the average price had eased slightly to $11.80 per kilogram.

However, that was more than triple the $3.63 per kilogram the vegetable was selling for in November 2022.

Kaipara Kūmara managing director Anthony Blundell said the high prices were directly linked to severe weather which hit the region in late 2022 and early 2023.

“This time last year 30 to 35% of the crop was gone, even before Cyclone Gabrielle,” he said on Friday.

“Some growers ended up losing their entire crop, some lost 30% to 40%, and the total volume harvested last year was down at least 65% on 2022.”

But the 2024 season was looking much better, with perfect growing conditions in recent weeks.

“Kūmara love the humidity and heat, you can’t give them enough,” Blundell said.

“If we carry on like this and things are back to normal, or even a bit wetter than normal, we’ll be good.”

Growers would begin the earliest stages of harvest over the next couple of weeks and activity would peak in March, he said.

“Volumes will still be quite tight and prices a bit high through early to mid-February but once everyone is harvesting, consumers should start to see cheaper kūmara.”

Blundell said kūmara growers knew higher prices over the last year meant the vegetable had been off the table for many households but hoped they could win consumers back.

“The public were so good last year, and we all appreciate the support we had, even when prices were high. That spend helped farmers get set up for this year,” he said.

“We know there will be some people who have found alternatives to kūmara but we hope most Kiwis are looking forward to getting kūmara back on their plate.”