Hawke’s Bay growers withdraw bid for Hastings McCain plant
Hawke’s Bay vegetable growers have abandoned their bid to purchase the McCain frozen vegetable plant in Hastings. The decision follows the discovery that the necessary processing equipment will not be included in the sale, rendering the operation unfeasible.
Why it matters
The closure threatens regional employment and local food security, highlighting the challenges of maintaining domestic food processing infrastructure.
The McCain frozen vegetable processing plant in Hastings. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke’s Bay vegetable growers say purchasing the closing McCain vegetable processing plant in Hastings is unfeasible.
In March, McCain announced it was closing the plant in 2027 .
Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum and Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley asked McCain to pause while growers sought a solution for a possible takeover, but were turned down in May .
The Government then invested $50,000 to help a group of Hawke’s Bay growers explore buying the operation.
The growers’ interest in the facility was on the basis the processing equipment would remain as part of the sale, allowing production to continue.
However, grower spokesperson Hew Dalrymple said the equipment was no longer available.
The plant was scheduled to cease operations on January 31, 2027, after a final processing and packing season.
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