The unfolding potato chip crisis in New Zealand supermarkets is not as dire as first thought, with supplier Foodstuffs NZ revealing today the Pak'n'Save sign warning of a crisp shortage was premature.
Foodstuffs NZ today released a statement explaining that an ordering error actually led Pak'n'Save to think they had less potato chip supplies than were available in Foodstuffs' distributions centres.
"More information has come to light today. It turns out the store's sign was incorrect – their issue was actually due to an ordering error," Foodstuffs NZ Head of external relations Antoinette Laird said.
"We hold a lot of product in our distribution centres and so we aren't short at this stage."
However, it's not all good news for crisp lovers because the broader New Zealand potato shortage is still a reality.
"The grower community is highlighting a potential future potato shortage due to the bad weather we've had this year," Ms Laird said.
"This has not impacted our business as yet, and we are working with our suppliers to minimise any potential impact.
'I'll stick to the bit we can sort out, which is the government,' said the National Party leader.
"Some growers are struggling with the impact of the weather but - as the grower community have said - the weather plays a part every year."
New Zealand Growers Association's Brent Wilcox told 1 NEWS wet weather has drowned a lot of potatoes and many of the rest haven't stored so well.
Mr Wilcox said their processing supply has been hit quite badly and his fresh supply is pretty lean too, meaning consumers should expect short supply at supermarkets until Christmas.
While potatoes are grown across the country, the worst hit areas are Horowhenua, Matamata and Pukekohe because of 25 per cent increased rainfall.
The paddocks haven't dried out so growers can't harvest the crop, or prepare for planting.
Some growers have resorted to putting floodlights on the paddocks so they can harvest in any short dry window.
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