Wattie's starts processing its largest tomato crop for some years

At 6 this morning Wattie’s in Hastings started processing this year’s tomato crop, and with over 40,000 tonnes expected to be harvested it will be the largest crop for several years.

North Island Agricultural Manager Ivan Angland says so far the crop has benefited from an excellent growing season.

“Tomatoes are the company’s single biggest crop, used in more than 200 product lines ranging from tomato sauce and baked beans to pesto style and Indian tomatoes.

“To ensure consumers get the best and freshest quality, Wattie’s tomatoes are normally in the first stage of processing within two hours of being harvested.”

The tomatoes are a proprietary variety which has been bred for disease resistance, pelability, fruit quality and yield. The crop is grown on 450 hectares across Hawke’s Bay.