Eco-Friendly Sachets can Extend Shelf Life of Fruits and Veggies? Article by: Hari Yellina Deepak Rajmohan returned to India from the United States in mid-2019 to work on a food preservation breakthrough. “I’d always wanted to go back to India, and this seemed like the appropriate time with the right goal.” I spent nearly three […]
New Agriculture Minister Lays Down Top Priorities Article by: Hari Yellina In his new portfolio, the new agricultural minister has identified labour shortages, biosecurity, and “skyrocketing” input prices as short-term issues. Murray Watt, in his first big speech as minister, told a horticulture conference in Brisbane that his longer-term interests were climate change, sustainability, and […]
Major Fast-Food Chains Alter Menu to Cope with Lettuce Shortage Article by: Hari Yellina Due to a lettuce supply shortage across the country, a number of prominent Australian fast-food restaurants have been compelled to make menu adjustments. The worldwide shortage of lettuce, and the resulting skyrocketing price, has temporarily affected the way companies fill their […]
South Australian Vegetable Producer Seeks a Reliable Partner Article by: Hari Yellina One of Australian horticulture’s most renowned companies is searching for a partner to invest $30 million in its expansion aspirations. Since its inception in 1998, the high-tech glasshouse business on the outskirts of Adelaide has received different government subsidies. The project has expanded […]
Limited Air Routes Influence Rambutan Pricing Article by: Hari Yellina Currently, rambutans are in greater abundance. According to Andres Ocampo of HLB Specialties in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the rambutan season in Guatemala is in full swing. “We’ve had our first arrivals for a month, and Guatemala is starting to fill up with nice quality fruit,” […]
Lettuce Farmers Unsure of their Future Article by: Hari Yellina Lockyer Valley lettuce growers, who have been ravaged by a series of natural calamities, are in desperate need of a multi-million-dollar rescue plan, according to the industry’s top body. After February’s floods and months of unseasonably wet weather, Growcom acting chief executive Richard Shannon said […]
Coles Aids Growers to Meet Customer Demand Article by: Hari Yellina Coles will provide incentives to creative producers in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland to assist improve the supply of organic fresh food for customers. The donations given this week increase the Coles Nurture Fund’s overall financial support to $30 million since 2015. Coles […]
Fruit Fly Outbreaks Rampage on as Riverland Growers Lose Access Article by: Hari Yellina As a result of a fruit fly outbreak in South Australia’s Riverland, some small growers have been shut off from their city clients. It comes as state budget papers reveal that funding for the pest’s eradication has been reduced from $33 […]
Legacy of Unique Red Pear Variant Continues to Flourish Article by: Hari Yellina The owners of an Australian red pear variety are increasing production year after year as demand and popularity grow – but there’s a lot more to the tale behind the fruit than its beautiful colour and delicious taste. The Red Sienna Pride […]
New Agriculture Minister Shares Future Plans for the Industry Article by: Hari Yellina Murray Watt, the new agricultural minister, has farming running through his blood. His father grew up on a dairy farm outside of Mackay, Queensland’s north coast, before moving on to manage beef cattle and eventually worked as a cane cutter, while his […]
South Australian Citrus Season Fully Operational Now Article by: Hari Yellina The citrus season in South Africa has officially begun, with the official inauguration taking place last month. With navel oranges and new season mandarins arriving from the Riverland, the first fruit has reached produce outlets and grocery stores across the state. Citrus SA Chair Mark […]
Piece Rate Confusion at an All Time High Article by: Hari Yellina Changes to the piece rate award, which took effect in April, have left growers perplexed. Under the horticultural award, workers picking fruit must earn a minimum pay of $25.41, according to the Fair Work Commission. Employers will be forced to keep track of […]
Live Sheep Trade Ban Not Likely to Occur this Term Article by: Hari Yellina Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has stated that Labor will not prohibit the sale of live sheep during this term of government, giving producers some certainty. Murray Watt, the Agriculture Minister, said Monday that the government will prohibit live sheep exports by […]
Tomato Processor Raises Alarm on Increasing Gas Prices Article by: Hari Yellina If gas costs continue to rise, one of Australia’s top food processing centres has expressed concern about the country’s industrial industry’s future. Kagome Australia, situated in Echuca, was awarded a gas contract for 2023 in January, which is $1 million more than the […]
First Harvest at Medicinal Cannabis Facility in Mildura Article by: Hari Yellina Harvesting has begun at a “first-of-its-kind” medicinal cannabis facility in north-west Victoria, according to Cann Group. The plant near Mildura, which was developed in a disused fruit juice factory, has harvested a “smaller than average” first batch. Shane Duncan, the company’s chief operating […]
Citrus Australia Welcomes Labor Government’s Pledges Article by: Hari Yellina Citrus Australia applauds Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the new Labor administration on their election victory, and looks forward to helping them meet their pre-election promises on biosecurity, water security, skills-based education, trade diversification, and labour. “We look forward to working with Senator Murray Watt, […]
Coffee Producer’s Venture Finally Paying Off Article by: Hari Yellina A new family-owned and operated coffee plantation has been built in the rich volcanic grounds of the Atherton Tablelands in the far north. The Murat family cultivated Arabica coffee in 2014 on what was once a prosperous tobacco farm west of Mareeba. The family’s strong […]
Banana Freckle Disease Detected in the Northern Territory Article by: Hari Yellina Three years after being declared eradicated from Australia, the plant disease known as banana freckle has resurfaced in the Northern Territory. On Tuesday afternoon, the disease was detected on a rural, residential property in the Batchelor district, south of Darwin, according to NT […]
Global Update: Mangoes Dominate Chinese Markets Article by: Hari Yellina Mangoes have become the most popular domestic tropical fruit due to its smooth, juicy, and sweet pulp and nutritional qualities. China has surpassed India as the world’s second-largest mango grower and consumer in recent years. Due to increasing demand in the domestic market, mango output […]
Organic Producer Punches Above Weight with Produce Article by: Hari Yellina According to one of Australia’s largest organic carrot growers, the warmer-than-usual autumn has resulted in crops growing at a faster rate than planned. Arahura Farms, which spans 650 acres across two sites in Victoria’s Swan Hill district, crops carrots, beetroot, and celery all year. […]
