“Globally high inflation and various industry challenges have all placed ongoing pressure on the commercial performance of the business,” Donegan said. “Pressures in manufacturing – particularly rising energy, labour and freight costs – have continued to intensify, and at certain sites those costs now exceed what the business can sustainably absorb over time. “Our vessels at sea are slightly different, and fuel is about a third of our costs at the moment. He said that when considering those factors alongside an inability to raise prices for consumers, making money had become more difficult. As to whether he thinks other companies may face similar decisions to Wattie’s, Paulin believed it depends on their ability to pass on costs in price rises.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 13, 2026 05:24 UTC