Pineapple production may be affected following a rough season of storms, cyclones and drought for crops located up north, but growers have not indicated any desire to shut up shop, according to Growcom’s Pineapple Industry Development Officer, Georgie Townsend. “It’s certainly true that Cyclone Marcia in particular has affected production until about now, but I don’t think anyone’s thought about leaving the pineapple industry,” she says. “It’s more a decision of whether or not people are planning to re-plant. Pineapple growers don’t get anything more than any other grower in terms of compensation or help in the aftermath of Cyclone Marcia.”
Prices to the consumer will not be immediately affected either, according to growers and Ms Townsend. “I haven’t heard anyone say to me that there is likely to be an increase in the price of pineapples to the consumer,” says Ms Townsend. Pineapples take two years to produce their first fruit, and then produce a ratoon crop one year later.
The comments from Ms Townsend are in line with those of grower Les Williams, who says that significant rain events during planting this year will impact production in two years’ time on his farm at Wamuran, North of Brisbane, on ABC’s Country Hour. The fact that one farm produces less also means that another might be able to get a better market price for their crop, according to him, so bad news for one is good news for another grower, with overall production unaffected.
The issue is how well growers can adapt their production cycles to minimise impact from weather, according to Mr Williams. The pineapple industry is also no stranger to cyclones and storms, as the majority of growers are located in tropical parts of Queensland, notorious for stormy weather during the summer months.
For more information
Growcom
Phone: +61 7 3620 3844
E-mail: growcom@growcom.com.au
Website: www.growcom.com.au