Hawke's Bay will be grooving to a bigger beet this summer.
Wattie's relocated its main beetroot production from Australia to New Zealand in 2011 and it says this season's crop is shaping up to be a great one.
Wattie's crop supply agronomist Tim Agnew said that while the weather was not favourable during the spring, a 22,000 tonne beetroot crop is expected - up 50% on last year.
A team of about 20 will begin harvesting the beetroot in Hawke's Bay this week and continue through until May.
Mr Agnew said Wattie's shifting its beetroot production to Hawke's Bay has been a real boost for the community.
Wattie's will export nearly all of this season's beetroot crop to Australia.
