Diana Baird 18 Jul 2013

Always a great conference.

John Dawson 26 Jul 2013

Any opportunity for growers to get together and improve communication and synergy between us needs to be taken to focus on better grower returns. This conference is a must.

Fenton Hazelwood (Moderator) 30 Jul 2013

Looks like a good turnout for conference.

Andrew Fenton has made a very good opening address.

Key point really: growers, don't sell below your growing costs, stand firm.

i am staggered that Potatoes NZ is having an Agronomists meeting for the day, at the same time conference is on.... Mmmmm

Fenton Hazelwood (Moderator) 30 Jul 2013

Rabobank Presentation

Future Trends in Fresh Food Retailing

Produce - the new frontline in the grocery retail battle.

Supermarkets ramping up hugely the investment in the fresh produce areas. It is a key profit driver of a supermarket.

Market segmentation:

Upmarket - more local, specialty offers

Downmarket - Price, price, price

Middle market - FRESH

Online fresh retailing....... Can it deliver??    
Amazon in the USA is going to enter the fresh retailing marketplace.... Will Amazon succeed?

Could an online fresh retailer be the 3rd player to enter a very strong New Zealand duopoly??

carol wheeler 30 Jul 2013

point oof difference imperative as expressed the prof

Kirit Makan 30 Jul 2013

Some great insights from the Professor this morning,  you would'nt want to be a grower unless you loved challenges.

Bharat Jivan 30 Jul 2013

Interesting breakout sessions. the food bill hopefully will bring more assurity to our industry.

Debbie Pascoe 30 Jul 2013

Its clear from the key note addresses that the rate and pace of change in technologies and in the supply chain is only going to increase. The TESCO example of the smart club card that identifies the shopper by name at the store front, then personalises the offer instore according to buying habits has enormous potential for the future of our produce industry

Bharat Jivan 31 Jul 2013

Great dinner last night made all the more special by seeing Mr and Mrs Gock of Mangere receive the Bledisloe cup for service to the industry . Their story is inspirational and they were so deserving

Fenton Hazelwood (Moderator) 31 Jul 2013

A HUGE congratulations to Pravin Hari for winning the HP ElitePad drawn yesterday at day 1 of conference...

Kirit Makan 31 Jul 2013

Very informative presentation from Dale Kirk on "Illegal drugs in the work place" disappointing to hear NZ leads the statistics in regards to P.

Fenton Hazelwood (Moderator) 01 Aug 2013

Congratulations to Pravin Hari & Kirit Makan for winning the Hort NZ Conference HP ElitePad's.

Hoping these will be useful tools in your work

Overall a good conference and great to be a part of it. It is vital that companies that work within the primary industry support these events, along with support from growers for companies supporting the primary industry events

John Haliday 25 Aug 2013

Professor of Food Marketing David Hughes revealed the latest in food retailing trends. Now there is the technology ( in the UK ) for supermarkets to read their own club card which is in your wallet as you enter their store and to send a message to your smartphone welcoming you back and to personalize an in store offer of product just for you ( as they already have a history of your purchases ) - quite amazing. And furthermore - when you get to the checkout with your trolley the operator is able to compare prices with the same items at the nearest competitor supermarket and will match that price if they are cheaper.
However as the professor warns - this is great for shoppers but the people who are bearing the brunt of this squeeze on prices are the supermarkets food suppliers, including NZ exporters.
One of the take outs from his address at the conference was that he also said shoppers are becoming more interested in ethics, sustainability,heritage and provenance but that they dont expect to pay anything more for it - they just expect it.
The recent "horsegate scandal has rocked UK supermarkets and forced a tightening up in supply chain management and this has put the focus back on establishing long term relationships with suppliers of impeccable integrity.
The recent Fonterra milk powder debacle only emphasizes how critical that is for NZ growers.

Bharat Jivan 25 Aug 2013

It's like "Big Brother" is watching what your purchasing at supermarkets.. It could be only a matter of time before a person from the Ministry of Health rings you and advises you to start cutting back on the amount of muffins and sweets your purchasing....I wonder if John Keys GCSB bill allows for this? You might say that I am drawing a long bow but the cost of obesity on Western  Countries health bill is getting out of control and Govt's might think they have the right to intervene.....could be good for vege growers though.