Tomatoes in winter should not be a thing.

Unless they come from a recyclable can and were grown in summer.

But tomatoes in winter are a thing.

In New Zealand these come from greenhouses often heated by burning coal.

Which is dumb as fuck.

On the upside, New Zealand has a carbon price on coal, and it’s starting to hit coal-fired tomato producers.

“Karamea Tomatoes uses coal to heat its glasshouses throughout the year.

“Director Geoff Volckman told 1 NEWS the viability of his business is at risk “if we just keep going up and up with carbon credits”. He says its “the difference between making a profit and not making a profit and if you don't make a profit, well there's no use in carrying on”.

Which I believe is the point.

“Coal prices shot to a record $30 per tonne following recent changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme.

“It's part of the Government's plan to be carbon neutral by 2050. Mr Shaw says he’s not surprised to hear coal users are feeling the pinch.

“The whole point is to send a price signal to start investing in alternatives. So for example, last year the Provincial Growth Fund loaned $7 million to an eco gas plant which takes food waste and turns it into energy… so they’re actually using renewable gas from food waste in the same way that some others are using coal so there is certainly alternatives available.”

At a goddam minimum, tomatoes grown in winter needed to be heated by 100% renewable energy.

Basic.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to imagine using electricity meant for the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter when it shuts down next year, instead of coal.

And if that renewable energy ends up being more expensive than coal, tomato prices will go up and the market will decide whether it really wants winter-grown tomatoes or not.