300 tonnes of oranges dumped in Australia

This season has been one of the worst for Australian citrus growers in 40 years. The wet conditions have resulted in most of the oranges not meeting supermarket specifications which has resulted in the dumping of oranges throughout the country. Citrus grower Vito Mancini dumped 300 tonnes of his crop so far. 

With food prices rising in the supermarkets and interest rates affecting consumers, demand is also in decline — but the main problems are the cost of picking and ongoing difficulties with sea freight. It makes more financial sense to dump fruit than pay people to pick it.

Export problems

Quality issues are not the only thing affecting exports. There are still problems with sea freight caused by a shortage of containers and global delays in shipping around the world. Demand was strong in Asian markets, but growers have had enormous problems getting fruit onto ships during the pandemic because ships had been sailing past Australian ports. In Adelaide they've had 95 per cent of their ships not calling in and there've been significant impacts in Melbourne and Sydney.

That is a massive problem for growers who have fresh product being held at the ports in refrigerated containers, waiting for a ship.

Farmers weigh future

It has been a tough couple of years during the pandemic, but there is hope that good times will return. Backpackers are heading back to work in the fields and there are signs that freight costs will come down next year. But that may come too late for some. There were growers considering giving the game away.

Abc.net.au