As a number of strawberry farmers move into the cool climate of Queensland’s granite belt, the focus has turned to maintaining a quality product to avoid over competitive prices during the peak season. “There has been an increase in plantings through the region,” notes Brendon Hoyle, of Strawberry Fields in Applethorpe, of the recent entry of Pinata farms to the area. “As a result demand has fallen and pricing has become very competitive.” Winter production has been steadily increasing over the past years, which can cause a glut on the market in early spring, and later plantings, with an extended period have set the tone for the 2015 season. “If this trend continues, supply will surpass demand during this period and the price will fall dramatically, often below production cost,” notes Mr Hoyle.
Growers new to the area still face a number of challenges including pests and disease control, labour availability and quality control. “The challenges are still being felt as every season is different,” adds Mr Hoyle. “They are significant in nature compared to other Queensland growing areas.” Heat and excessive rain are both issues that have affected growers in the area, including Pinata while it tries to establish its crop. Other growers in the area, including SSS strawberries, have been sourcing plant runners from Victoria as well as Stanthorpe to ensure a quality product.
While most of the current production is being fed into the local Brisbane market, with some growers supplying chain stores, Mr Hoyle believes that export will become an option before too long as the value of the Australian dollar falls and remains low. That would be apart from expected demand for Australian grown berries following the recent hepatitis A contamination scare involving berries imported from China. “At the moment production in the Stanthorpe area is slow as the season is coming to an end and market prices are strong,” he says.
For more information
Brendon Hoyle
Strawberry Fields
Phone: +6175494 5146
E-mail: brendon@strawberryfields.com.au
Website: www.strawberryfields.com.au