Apple and pear growers are major stakeholders in the current debate about the proposed deregulation of producer councils in New Zealand. This survey is an attempt to assess the attitudes and opinions of Hawkes Bay apple and pear growers, who represent about 55 percent of apple and pear growers in New Zealand. This research is concerned with the attitudes of pear growers to the proposed deregulation of the New Zealand pear industry and in particular the NZ Apple and Pear Marketing Board.
What are the differences between the attitude of small, medium and large producers towards the proposed reforms. Have growers obtained sufficient information about the implications of the proposed deregulation of the tap industry (marketing committee). What are the economic and competitive effects of the proposed deregulation according to growers?
An exploratory study was conducted to examine the current attitudes and beliefs of Hawkes Bay apple and pear growers in relation to the perceived effects of the proposed deregulation of the New Zealand sweet potato industry and the removal of monopoly status for New Zealand Apple &. About the information the respondent had received about the proposed deregulation of the industry (including extent of knowledge, source of information, impression of the government's explanations and interest in getting more information). Growers' views on the effects of the proposed deregulation (growers were asked the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with various statements about the effects on their orchard; the competitive and economic benefits to their industry; the economic benefits to their district; whether increased returns would come from improvements in innovation, efficiency and trade negotiations; whether there would be any destabilizing effect on the quality of exports, delivery costs and returns to growers; whether deregulation would lead to a collapse in tariffs and export subsidies in competing countries; and whether growers in NZ would still be competitive if international tariffs and subsidized exports remained).
The population surveyed comprised a cross-section of all Hawkes Bay apple and pear growers, including small, medium and large producers.
Results
On the other hand, I've heard it has the opposite effect, e.g. South Africa.". The government does not recognize the size of NZ and in this case the "crop" relative to the world market.". 34;We are only a small player, with deregulation we will become weaker". 34;ENZA needs restructuring and competition on land - not necessarily at sea.".
I doubt profit will offset reduced sales values". 34;A far more competitive and professional ENZA cost structure will apply. 34;We all know fruit will go overseas to be packed, this can only be bad for our community.". 34; The industry will retreat if it is allowed to operate under more exporters - less income, fewer jobs, fewer hectares in production."
34;Economic advantages may be reduced to some extent by the closure of uneconomic packaging and the withdrawal of some orchards.". 34;The industry will become more innovative as a result of competition, but I cannot see any benefit to trade negotiations." Negotiations merchants offer a wider range for variety - greater market share.". 34; No country is following New Zealand's example".
34; Trade negotiations include government-to-government agreements." e) Deregulation will have a destabilizing effect on the New Zealand Pipfruit industry by:. i) a threat to the quality of fruit exported. ii) the inability to deliver a cost effective way for our external markets (iii) threat to producer returns. On the other hand, a number of the larger producers are confident that they can perform these duties better than ENZA. 34;If we export fruit over long distances, we need to have quality systems in place". 34; Large volumes by one negotiator cause a drop in shipping costs overseas purchases will play off one seller against another.
34;Producer's returns will be threatened due to competition between exporters and buyers who trade one exporter for another." 34;Quality will increase as this will be the most important prerequisite for the market to buy further and the producer does not have afford to cheat the system." . f) Deregulation of the New Zealand Pipfruit industry will mean unbundling of tariffs and subsidized exports in countries competing in the global Pipfruit market in the near future (1-2 years). The current situation is harmful to the industry and must be removed from the public (international) arena.”
34;The individual desk should not be threatened but ENZAfruit's pe,form is not good enough and needs to be dramatically improved for NZ growers to survive." But EZNA is grossly out of line with grower demands and ENZA needs to be changed or move aside.”.
Concluding Comments
34;The question you didn't ask - I support a single desktop approach, but the current system doesn't work. The majority (75%) of growers do not support the proposed deregulation of the NZ sweet potato industry, although around 40 per cent of large growers do. But if deregulation goes ahead, most growers want it to happen within the next 12 months.
Finally, the vast majority of growers (80%) support a one-stop marketing approach, although more than 30 percent of large growers do not. However, many concerns were raised about the effectiveness of ENZA and some growers who supported single office marketing indicated that this did not mean they supported ENZA in its current form. First, this was a one-off survey conducted in October 1998, and due to the seasonal nature of pipfruit cultivation, many potential respondents may not have received the questionnaire.
Second, it must be noted that it was not the intention or the practice to identify all the drivers and economic effects of deregulation. Finally, this survey is only representative of Hawkes Bay growers and therefore does not cover New Zealand as a whole. New Zealand's pome fruit growers help share concerns of their Hawkes Bay colleagues over the proposed deregulation of the pome fruit industry (Marketing Board);
the New Zealand Apple and Pear Marketing Board (ENZA) to help ENZA understand the needs and concerns of their suppliers (i.e. the growers); And. The New Zealand Government Commission and government departments currently considering issues related to the deregulation of the Producer Boards. Finally, it is hoped that this survey will also be a benchmark for growers' opinions as producer board deregulation continues.
It will be interesting and informative to evaluate the view of the apple and pear growers in Hawkes Bay in the future, if they have choices for exporting their produce (i.e. pome fruit) through organizations other than just the NZ Apple & Pear Marketing Board (ENZA) as at the moment.
Acknowledgements
Appendix
Hawkes Bay Apple & Pear Growers Deregulation Attitudes Survey
Gender
This section is designed to provide an understanding of the information you have acquired in relation to the planned submission of the New Zealand Pi fruit industry. Where have you gained knowledge in relation to 0 Newspaper O Other Growers proposed legislation to deregulate the New Zealand • ENZA • Hawkes Bay Pipfruit Industry. Has the New Zealand Government clearly articulated Yes No Do you know the non-effects of deregulation on the Pipfruit industry?
Interested in finding out more about the Yes No Don't Know effects of deregulation on the Pipfruit industry? 1 a. Deregulation of the New Zealand Pipfruit industry will create strong further economic benefit for your orchard. 11. New Zealand producers would benefit from deregulation of the Strongly Strongly Pipfruit industry by further: Disagree Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Agree.
14.Deregulation will have a destabilizing effect on the New Strongly Strongly Zealand Pipfruit industry by: Disagree Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Agree. 15.Deregulation of the New Zealand Pipfruit industry will strongly encourage a breakdown of tariffs and subsidized exports in Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Agree. 16. New Zealand as a deregulated marketplace will continue Strong Strong to be competitive if tariffs and subsidies continue in the Different Different Different Neutral Agree Agree Agree.
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