Kūmara, a type of sweet potato, is making a comeback after many crops were destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle. Nearly all of New Zealand’s kūmara is grown in Northland, where the warm climate and fertile soil are ideal. However, the storm left much of the crop rotting in the ground. At its worst, some kūmara prices reached $14 per kilogram.
Now, the new season’s orange, gold, and red kūmara are back in supermarkets. Brigit Corson, head of Foodstuffs Produce and Butchery North Island, said that red kūmara is about $7 per kilogram. The orange and gold varieties are still being harvested, but their prices are expected to drop to $7 per kilogram in the coming weeks. As supply increases, prices will continue to decrease.
Corson explained that kūmara is a versatile crop and all sizes are used. The larger ones are typically processed, the smaller ones are peeled and used in kūmara hash, and the medium-sized ones are sold in supermarkets. However, due to the recent shortage, all sizes have been sold, leading to some size variation for customers.
In 2023, about 60% of the kūmara crop was destroyed. This year, the crop is expected to return to almost normal levels. Kūmara is harvested once a year and then stored in cold storage until it is released to the market. With a normal crop, Corson expects to have kūmara available until the new season begins in February.
Cyclone Gabrielle also severely affected stone fruit and apple growers in Hawke’s Bay, with some losing 25% of their trees. Despite this, Corson praised the quality of the stone fruit and nectarines currently in stores, which are from Hawke’s Bay.
According to Stats NZ, average kūmara prices in January 2023 were $4.37 per kilogram, and they increased to $12.98 per kilogram in September 2023. Current supermarket prices vary, with discounts available at some stores.
