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The price of fruit and vegetables in New Zealand is rising much faster than the price of processed food.

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This rising food prices has been making headlines for a decade. But prices will not be rising evenly across all food groups – and that has serious health implications for New Zealanders.

Last week, NZ statistics were released food price data showing the biggest price drop in six years. The second quarter consumer price indexwhich launches today will provide a broader take a look at the inflationary pressures facing New Zealanders, including the cost of food.

Despite recent price declines, concerns about food security, food affordability and the dietary quality of the local weight loss program remained the same.

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While the rise in food prices has been noticeable over the long run, the change in relative prices—the cost of one food category in comparison with one other—often goes unnoticed. Nevertheless, these relative price changes are key because they influence consumer selections, often subconsciously.

Our recent research analyses Stats NZ price data from 2014 to 2023 for 85 food items collected from 560 shops – supermarkets, greengrocers, fishmongers, butchers, convenience stores, restaurants, and breakfast, lunch and takeaway outlets – across 12 metropolitan areas.

Between July 2014 and March 2023, the prices of some sweetened, processed foods and drinks, similar to cartoned chocolate, ice cream, sodas and energy drinks for sports, increased by about 14%. During the same time, the prices of some fruits and vegetables increased by about 45%.

When sugary processed foods are cheaper in comparison with fruits and vegetables, People are likely to buy more of the former. This can result in poor eating habits, increasing the incidence of obesity and related health problems.

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Since 2014, the price of fresh food and produce has increased by a median of 45%, while the price of processed food has increased by just 14%.
Ildar Abulkhanov/Getty Images

Exceptional aspects cause slower price declines

Although food prices have increased globally since 2020, mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions, many countries have seen the following food price inflation is fallingAs the latest data from Stats NZ shows, this is beginning to occur in New Zealand too.

However, price inflation in New Zealand has been higher and more persistent than in many other developed countries, suggesting that unique aspects could also be necessary.

The structure of the food retail sector, dominated by Foodstuffs and Woolworths, has change into more visible as food prices have risen. The lack of competition tends to result in higher prices.

However, given how long the duopoly has dominated the supermarket sector, this alone doesn’t necessarily explain the absolute and relative price changes revealed by our research.

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Due to increasing regional specialisation, the New Zealand fresh fruit and vegetable supply chain is particularly vulnerable to disruption from extreme weather events.

While specialization improves production efficiency, it increases vulnerability to local shocks like Cyclone Gabrielle. This is exacerbated by a sparse transportation network.

International trade also affects the relative prices of differing types of food. The composition of New Zealand’s production and exports is differs significantly from imported products.

New Zealand doesn’t produce sugar beets or sugar cane, making it entirely depending on sugar imports, for instance. On the other hand, most of the fresh fruit and vegetables consumed in New Zealand are grown domestically.

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These aspects can affect the production and cost of different food products, resulting in divergent prices. Access to multiple sources of imported food can reduce price volatility, while regionally concentrated domestic supply may cause wild swings in food prices.

Food prices are a health problem

The growing price gap between processed foods and healthy foods is not only a problem of access. It has significant health implications.

One in three adults in New Zealand was obesity in 2020-2021and childhood obesity is also on the rise. The prevalence of diabetes has risen from 35.7 per 1,000 people in 2012 to 41.5 per 1,000 people in 2021.

Moreover, the number of diabetics is Growth is expected by 70-90% over the next 20 years, and the annual cost of treating diabetes could rise from NZ$2.1 billion to $3.5 billion over the same period.

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Even more worrying is that these burdens will not be distributed evenly across New Zealand society.

Poor weight loss program disproportionately affects indigenous people and those from lower economic backgrounds. Pacific people and Maori have lower average incomes AND higher obesity rates than New Zealanders of European descent.

Low-income families have long discovered this It’s hard to afford it and follow a healthy weight loss program because of the rising prices of fruits and vegetables.

A multi-pronged strategy is needed

The increasing relative affordability of sugary foods poses a serious threat to the health of New Zealanders. Without intervention, the country could face a rise in diet-related chronic diseases, straining an already strained health system.

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To reverse these trends and promote higher nutrition and health for all New Zealanders, a comprehensive approach is needed, including economic, educational and regulatory measures.

Must be multi-track strategy to deal with the complex challenges facing our food system. This must include taxes on sugary foods in addition to subsidies for fresh produce, banning junk food marketing to children, tackling food insecurity and investing in free school lunches.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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New Orlean Entrepreneur enters the success in the footwear industry

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New Balance, Joe Freshgoods, Chicago


An entrepreneur from Nowy Orleans achieved a brand new success because of the idea for the online footwear business, DsneAkerxpress.

Darrick Jones began to find his entrepreneurial dreams during the Covid-19 pandemic. He took his passion and knowledge in all sneakers to attach with latest clients and satisfy demand.

In the case of many sneakerhead, “bots” shopping often buy the latest drops, taking possibilities from consumers. Now Jones falsified the system back in hand real people. He doesn’t do it to make a profit, but to bring a smile on the faces of his clients with a brand new pair of kicks.

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“Love of this. I do not do it for money. I love to help people get the necessary shoes, or like a child who is looking for their first pair of Jordan … I love to provide them, appearance on their faces,” said Jones.

His botting system led to an expansive collection of footwear, which he uses to take care of his resale and calm latest customers. Its composition even includes celebrities equivalent to Lil Baby and Rob49 rappers.

“You once heard about tennis bots where you get online shoes and they automatically caught them. I bought Jordan 5s and did $ 1500. Then he began to grow and grow, and Boom, we are where we are,” said Jones.

However, not only technical skills led to its development. Jones still builds his network by participating in the conventions of sneakers, which ends up in even greater sales for the entrepreneur. He says that the experience of learning from other sellers or wholesale sneakers are crucial when scaling their activities.

“I find out how this person gets shoes from this particular website, or has this specific buying plugin or wholesale, and then I can interact with other people in the same space as me,” said Jones.

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Although every little thing is in his love of playing sneaker, Jones also thank his family and friends who supported him on this journey. It encourages all business enthusiasts to start out, because all good things require time.

“Go, never stop. Rome was not built at night. You can write like a thousand reels or publish a thousand photos, and no person buys. But someone should purchase a thousand, 2000, 3000, 4.

His range of things on the market extends to Very desirable clothing. From a limited edition to designer jackets, Dsneakerxpress enters the size.

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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40,000 employees thank Marriott CEO for defending Dei among political pressure

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DEI, Marriott, CEo

During the right place for the highest of labor, the overall director of Marriott Anthony Capuano divided his sentiments about how the corporate that the captains reacted to attacks on diversity, own capital and integration released by the Trump administration. Although privately he wondered if he made the correct phone, he soon received confirmation from 1000’s of employees, which he actually selected the correct path.

According to Capuano told the stakeholders At the highest, which took place on April 8-10 in Las Vegas, that Marriott wouldn’t hesitate to create a chance for everyone who crossed the corporate’s door, whatever the political pressure of the White House.

“The winds blow, but there are some basic truths for these 98 years,” Capuano told the audience. “Welcome to everyone in our hotels and create opportunities for everyone – and they will never change in principle. The words can change, but that’s what we are as a company.”

https://twitter.com/arevamartin/status/191475286650743400?s=19

Within 24 hours of his comments, he received a litany of emails from the corporate’s most significant resources: its employees, and furthermore, over 40,000 messages thanked him for coping with diversity, equality and inclusion, because they were also the values ​​during which they believed.

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Marriott, which employs over 800,000 people around the globe, was consistently placed on the list of “best companies for work”, this 12 months the hotel network took eighth place on the list and as a consequence of its strong commitment to its employees, 90% of the worker retention index within the industry, which has a mean of 57% retention index.

According to comments, Capuano represent a position Diversity, justice and integration are usually not a social programFlooding that has been supporting the White House and other Republican countries for several years. Instead, it is an element of the corporate’s operational infrastructure, and the consistency between what the corporate says and creates a culture of consistency.

Indeed, in line with Great Place is Work, jobs with great trust on the a part of their employees They often outweigh the competition by almost 4 times. Companies for their 100 best firms also exchange their results on the stock exchange greater than thrice; This signifies that the trust of employees, as attributable to Marriott, translates directly into profitability.

According to Michael C. Bush, the General Director of the Great Place to Work: “The 100 best companies have built the foundation of employees’ trust, that it drives performance in all areas of their activities – not only in some areas, and not only for some people. They are more profitable and productive because they have consistently positive professional experience, lower firing indicators and higher levels of psychological and emotional health compared to typical jobs. “

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He continued: “These leaders be certain that that every one employees have the opportunity of special recognition and be certain that that they imagine that what they do, they’ve meaning as people in the primary place, and the employees second. They built organizations during which transparency, well -being and high level of cooperation are foundations. interested parties.

Related content: Justification for a thoughtful approach to Dei: Taking a mistaken belief and reality

(Tagstranslat) diversity

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Tourism to the USA is refueling. As a result, the center Flight is in the face of a $ 100 million hit

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Flight Center, one of the world’s largest travel agencies, warned that perhaps lose over $ 100 million earnings This 12 months, citing the weakening of the demand for a journey to the United States.

In a statement This week, the Company pointed to “unstable trade conditions” related to changes in the principles of entry in the USA to the Australian Security Stock Exchange (ASX).

This is the first essential indication of the Australian company that traveling to the USA is becoming a major problem. This is due to the growing fears of consumers related to American immigration controls, reports of arresting tourists and rising costs.

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Australian numbers of visitors to the USA fell by 7% in March Compared to the same time last 12 months – the sharpest fall from Covid Pandemic.

Australians should not the only ones who avoid afar. New data in the USA In March, they show sharp declines of visitors from key markets: Germany (decrease by 28%), Spain (25%), Great Britain (18%) and South Korea (15%) to mention only a few. In total, incoming tourism dropped by 11.6%.

Even Canadian travelers, traditionally the most reliable US market, fell by greater than 900,000 or 17% in March, because the growing number of Canadians select Vacation boycott.

What once was a reliable flow of high international travelers becomes a much calmer stream.

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America’s welcome mat is wearing thin

The United States, long sold as a land of possibilities and adventures, are increasingly perceived as unique. Closer control of borders, aggressive enforcement of immigration and a sharp change in the political tone They made travelers careful.

International arrival terminal at the airport in Atlanta: Tourists are considering travel plans in the USA.
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While the statement of the flight center used a cautious language, its general director Graham Turner was clear, saying:

People from Europe, Great Britain and Australia really are not looking for to go to the States, taking into consideration what is happening there. We hear increasingly people are not looking for to undergo passport control.

Reports about tourists arrestedIN Rugged AND deported At airports in the USA over small alleged visa problems or misunderstandings, they increased widely. In some cases, guests had Their phones and electronic devices searched for no clear reason. For many travelers it is Risk is not price taking.

The governments began to answer. Several countriesIncluding New Zealand, Germany, France, Denmark and Finland, updated the official advice on travel for the USA, calling residents Being caution during the visit. Filtering messages by international media is clear: the US is not as easy, protected or friendly because it once seemed.

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But while diplomatic warnings develop into louder, the economic costs of America’s attitudes are only starting to register.

Tourism: Forgotten America’s export

While President Donald Trump hit the tariffs to import goods from most countries, he ignored the contribution of services to the economy. The US actually conducts a surplus of services corresponding to education and tourism. Trump rejected the inheritance of guests as “This is not a big deal“.

Trade wars focused on goods – Cars, steel, agricultural products – but the service sector, which is a greater share in the economy, bears hidden costs.

Tourism is The largest service exports of the USAbringing over $ 2.3 trillion to the economy and one in ten jobs. This is a greater contribution than production tasks that they include about 8% total employment in the USA.

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As a driver economic prosperityTourism is not only free time; He maintains local firms, rural economies and thousands and thousands of maintenance.

Double blow for tourism

While the decline in arrivals has been widely reported, experience for many who still determine to visit, might also change.

Tourism is based on global supply chains, from food to hotel facilities to rented automotive fleets. Commercial war tariffs have increased expenditure costs common. Hotels, restaurants, airlines and attractions are handing over these higher costs to customers.

Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Miami Beach, Florida: Tourism is one in ten American jobs.
MDV Edwards/Shutterstock

Working deficiencies intensify the problem. Almost (*100*)20% of the American hotel strength He was born abroad. Cuts for seasonal work visas AND Increased concerns about deportation I left many firms fighting for locating staff, combining existing labor shortages.

. The weight is the heaviest on small and medium -sized enterprises, which Form the US economy background And play a key role in accommodation, restaurants and native tourist experiences.

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Quiet but expensive erosion

Tourism is not only a large part of the economy; It’s also Soft powerBy shaping the way the world perceives the nation through its culture, values ​​and hospitality.

Every visitor who feels undesirable, controlled or dissatisfied is not only lost sales, but Lost connection.

The research group forecasts the economy economics lose to $ 10 billion In the case of international travel in 2025, if current trends are continued.

And although advertisements about production work are approaching headers, the slow erosion of the American tourist brand can leave a longer, deeper scar on its culture, communities and place in the world.

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Lowering the flight center is not an isolated warning. This is a symptom of a wider change, which is a good risk by reversing visitors.

And for hundreds of American firms, employees and communities – and now also Australian – losses might not be so easily rejected.

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This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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