Deliveries of fresh produce, milk and meat to shops could be delayed in the next few days. Fonterra transport and logistics general manager Paul Phipps saying tanker access is severely limited to farms north of Whangarei and on the Coromandel Peninsula. With road access disrupted, it’s likely milk trucks will be unable to safely get to a number of farms in regions affected by the cyclone. Fonterra did not do any milk collections in the Hawke’s Bay.
Leaderbrand the Gisborne fresh produce grower says there will be shortages of fresh produce this week with Gisborne completely cut off, and no way to communicate with anyone. More than a hundred farms will be cut off from collections for some time in some areas. Alliance Group says their Dannevirke and Levin meatworks will be temporally closed from Wednesday due to the adverse weather conditions. Seeka Kiwifruit says it is too early to assess its pack houses and kiwifruit orchards for storm damage.