Whitestone reviews sales

Whitestone chief executive Simon Berry at the company's Oamaru factory. Photo supplied.
Whitestone chief executive Simon Berry at the company's Oamaru factory. Photo supplied.
Oamaru cheese-maker Whitestone Cheese may withdraw from the Australian market, despite escaping the effects of a supermarket boycott on New Zealand-made products.

Both the Coles and Woolworths supermarket chains are dropping New Zealand products from their home-brand ranges, sometimes even when an alternative cannot be sourced locally.

Although Whitestone Cheese-branded products are still on the shelves of Woolworths stores, the Oamaru company's chief executive, Simon Berry, said he would review the economic viability of sending exports across the Tasman.

''We haven't been affected yet [by the boycott], but the exchange rate is really having a major effect on us.

''The exchange rate is making it marginal. The exchange rate has gone from 78c to 94c.''

Mr Berry said the company shipped about 10% of production to Australia.

He said if it was decided not to ship to Australia, the company would look to replace that with additional domestic sales.

''We're always looking at other markets. It's just ongoing. You have to spread your risk. It would be different if we were shipping 50% over there.''

The majority of Whitestone products were sold domestically, he said.

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