Sauerkraut Reflections

My core competence revolves around Fresh Produce System Knowledge. There is nothing fresh about Sauerkraut which essentially is pickled cabbage. But Sauerkraut is an acquired taste that does not suit everyone - and therefore the ideal call sign for my musings and reflections related to the local and global fresh produce supply chains and anything else I care to comment on.

Sauerkraut File
Jan 29, 2026

Night 'n Day & the New Zealand supermarket duopoly

The Knowledge section of this site will, in the not-too-distant future, include a a page or two on the interaction between fresh produce and government regulatory efforts, concerning what is commonly known as New Zealand's supermarket duopoly.

In the meantime though, this statement by the General Manager of Night and Day, a 50+ stores franchised retail convenience network, stands out:"There’s not a lack of brands in New Zealand, it’s a commonality of ownership."

“If you had Pak’nSave, Fresh Choice, New World, Woolworths and Four Square all competing against each other, it would actually be quite a competitive marketplace and they’d all try and take each other’s market share."

Interested readers with a NZ Herald subscription can read a well-written article on this perennial topic at the link below.

Continue reading "Night 'n Day & the New Zealand supermarket duopoly"

Jan 28, 2026

Melbourne produce wholesale market opens to public on Saturdays

Well, the lines are definitely beginning to blur. Wholesale markets and "the public" are not normally two expressions that meet in the same sentence! What is this all about? Is this happening because of surplus produce lurking about after close of trade Friday? Is the Market Authority attempting to generate extra revenue? Or is the local authority not so keen any longer to truck produce that has not sold wholesale by Friday to the nearest landfill? Retailers who source from the markets are unlikely to be amused.

Continue reading "Melbourne produce wholesale market opens to public on Saturdays"

Jan 26, 2026

Cat Herder Required

Horticulture New Zealand is advertising its vacancy for a General Manager Policy. Applicants will have to deal with, amongst things, the bugger's muddle I discussed at https://www.fresh-produce-system-knowledge.com/Beehive-Buzz.html

Jan 26, 2026

The Sauerkraut File

Some years ago, when Head of Produce for a New Zealand supermarket chain, I needed to find a way to cut through the incessant noise level that prevented our branch managers from effectively guiding their produce managers. I decided the way to do it was to stop taking myself too serious. Making a play on my German heritage, I commissioned an indestructible ring-binder called the "Sauerkraut File - A Branch Manager's Essential Action Tool for easy Fresh Produce Profit".Guess what - it worked!