Vegetable processor Simplot has reaffirmed its commitment to keep its two factories in the North-West Tasmania for as long as viable. But its competitor, McCain, has told a Senate food committee that it took the decision to relocate its vegetable processing to New Zealand because it is a lot cheaper and the return on investment is a lot better in New Zealand.
Simplot executive general manager of quality and innovation, Callum Elder, said however that “over the last decade” the Australian industry had become an increasingly uncompetitive industry and processed potato product imports from Europe, New Zealand and America are “skyrocketing”.