Fruit fly on SA shelves sent from Victoria a wake-up call for stone fruit industry
TueTuesday 23
Investigations are underway into how the fruit slipped through biosecurity checks.
(
Print text only
Cancel
The stone fruit industry says the detection on South Australian shelves of fruit fly in nectarines and peaches transported from Victoria is a failure of both states biosecurity systems.
Key points:
The potential failure in biosecurity is considered a wake-up call for the industry
Pest-free status already in spotlight with several fruit fly outbreaks
Summerfruit Australia chief executive Trevor Ranford said the fruit was found by consumers at Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and a produce market who then reported seeing larvae crawling inside.
Fruit left to rot in Swan Hill orchard as stone fruit exports drop and prices plummet
MonMonday 8
FebFebruary 2021 at 1:04am
30 tonnes of Michael Tripodi s plums will be left to rot on his orchard floor this season
(
Print text only
Cancel
Michael Tripodi s summer days are usually spent picking and selling his stone fruit at Swan Hill, in northern Victoria.
Key points:
Some growers consider walking away after a tough season
National stone fruit exports expected to be down 20 per cent
But this year, 30 tonnes of his plums will be left to rot on his orchard floor. The price of plums is very, very poor at the moment, and labour is hard to find, Mr Tripodi said.
Growers have been working hard to supply the markets and get fruit into Asia for CNY
Overall, the Australian Summerfruit season has progressed well with good winter rains and plenty of chill hours resulting in good fruit set. Some recent environmental issues such as hail and hot weather have had an impact in some regions and for some growers and there have been fruit fly issues in South Australia.
“Generally, the season is running pretty well,” said Trevor Ranford CEO of Summerfuit Australia. “Exports, like all commodities at the moment have faced the challenge of finding airfreight space and sufficient sea-freight containers.”