New Zealanders have to pay a lot for fruit and vegetables

The already high prices New Zealanders pay for fruit and vegetables could become even higher as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle. Some prices have doubled since the cyclone hit. Local supermarkets in Auckland say that sweet potatoes (kumara) - which were $4.50/kg (€2.64) - now cost at least $9/kg (€5.28), while a single piece of broccoli is $5.99 (€ 3.51) costs. Retailers also expect the prices of potatoes and onions to rise significantly. Jerry Prendergast, president of United Fresh, a trade association of fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, said that supply and demand have always driven prices and will continue to do so. He said prices are likely to be "unstable" in the coming year because "so much is still unknown" about how the crops will fare after Cyclone Gabrielle. For example, Northland grows most of the country's sweet potatoes, 90% of which were wiped out in the storm. "Imports are usually an expensive way to bring in vegetables. Of course we import a lot of fruit - ...