Commodity levy

Voting on the Fresh Vegetables Commodity Levy is open and closes on 14 June

Voting on the Fresh Vegetables Commodity Levy has opened. If you grow and sell fresh vegetables commercially, you should have received a voting pack either via email or in the post.

If you have not received a voting pack, please contact Andrew Bristol. Email: andrew.bristol@freshvegetables.co.nz or phone: 021 021 62 021.

To find out more about Vegetables NZ’s proposal, click here.

Crucial to vote

Please note that the proposal sees no changes to the levy rate or what the levy is spent on, to support the fresh vegetable industry.

However, it is crucial that growers have their say and vote by noon on Friday 14 June. Please also remember that an incomplete voting form is counted as a ‘no’ vote.

Other votes to cast

Fresh vegetable growers are also being asked to vote for the levy that supports HortNZ. Similarly, if a fresh vegetable grower also grows process vegetables, onions and/or tomatoes, they will be asked to vote for the levies that support each of these product groups. 

Background information

Vegetables NZ is funded by a compulsory commodity levy on all fresh vegetables.

The Commodity Levies (Fresh Vegetables) Order 2019 came into effect on 1 April 2019 and is valid for six years. 

A copy of the Levy Order can be found here.

The maximum rate of the levy is 0.30% of the price received at the first point of sale, for fresh vegetables sold domestically; and 0.20% of the price received by the grower after deduction of all offshore costs (including international freight) for fresh vegetables exported.

The maximum rate of levy is exclusive of GST.

Vegetables NZ manages many activities on behalf of growers including:

• Research and Development
• Biosecurity and GIA negotiations
• EPA Agricultural Reassessment
• NZGAP
• Vegetable consumption promotion
• Liaison with growers, other industry partners and government agencies
• Supporting RMA activities and provision of research information