Trail-blazing Tomatoes

Auckland-based Status Produce is New Zealand’s largest tomato supplier producing 10 million kilograms of tomatoes each year. Status Produce began as a vision in 1993 by John Becroft, a second-generation tomato grower and Garry Hemmingson, a packhouse manager. At the time, the New Zealand supermarket industry was demanding 365 days of tomato products and the team trail blazed their way to bring advanced growing technologies and glasshouse design to bring their products to market. Status Produce continues to focus on the end customer and their needs incorporating a state-of-the-art produce grading line. “Our grading line allows us to photograph every tomato going down the line to recognise the size and shape of the eight tons of tomatoes processed each hour,” general manager of Status Produce Colin Lyford says.