28 May 2011

Extra export volume not yet known

6:26 am on 28 May 2011

Heinz says it's too early to say how much the port of Napier will benefit from increased production at its two plants in Hastings.

The company is closing three food factories in Australia and will produce all its sauces and beetroot products in Hastings.

More than 340 people in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales will lose their jobs.

Regional chief executive Nigel Comer says production in Hastings will increase up to 15%.

He says there will be only a small number of new jobs, because the two plants can easily cater for greater volumes of fruit and vegetables.

The increased production will all be for export, but Heinz can't say how much will be shipped through the Napier port.