21 Oct 2011

Import duty sought for Italian canned tomatoes

7:44 pm on 21 October 2011

Cheap tinned tomatoes could be gone from shelves if Heinz Watties succeeds in a bid to have a 90% import duty imposed on tins of Italian tomatoes.

In September, the company applied for the duty on 400 gram tins arguing that the tomatoes are being dumped in New Zealand.

One supermarket owner, Glen Taylor of Pak'n Save Kapiti says Heinz has lost market share because its tinned tomatoes are substantially more expensive than those offered by other suppliers.

He says, if the bid to have the duty imposed succeeds, it will add about 50 cents to the price of each 400 gram tin of Italian tomatoes.

Meanwhile, Consumer New Zealand chief executive Sue Chetwin says consumers have benefited from being able to buy cheap Italian tomatoes for some time and it would be a shame for that to change.

However, she says that if the Italian product is being dumped it is not fair to New Zealand growers and action would need to be taken.

Ms Chetwin says if the Government investigation finds there is no dumping of the produce, Heinz may be forced to lower the price of its canned tomatoes.