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
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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.
Fruit and vegetable price volatility compared with the ups and downs of the stock market
WedWednesday 27
JanJanuary 2021 at 6:06am
Melbourne wholesaler Michael Piccolo says apples are usually price stable, but he has seen big price movements recently.
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Key points:
Mr Piccolo said the price of ginger has tripled over the past few months
The oversupply of tomatoes nationwide is seeing prices plummet
Melbourne wholesaler Michael Piccolo said he had never seen so much volatility, with the price of ginger tripling but tomatoes more than halving in cost.
Mr Piccolo said COVID-19, a shortage of pickers and last summer s bushfires were a few of the reasons why.