JH Leavy, the wholesalers of Brak Pak, are still hopeful of a "reasonable" tomato season, despite being seriously affected by Cyclone Debbie in March.
The produce is grown by the Brackley family - Andy and Loretta, and Craig and Katie - who have been growing fruit and vegetables for over 40 years in the Bowen region, in Queensland. JH Leavy & Co general manager Ben Bartlett says while the impact was damaging, the growers' experience helped get production back on the right track.
"Brak Pak were swift to respond to the devastation after Cyclone Debbie and were able to replant significant volumes very quickly after almost 100% of stock in the ground was wiped out," he said. "Cyclone Debbie delayed the commencement of the season for tomatoes this year; however, early indications of quality are promising. In spite of the late start, and the significant crop losses due to the winds and rain bought by Debbie, the overall volume for the season still looks reasonable."
It launched its tomato season last month, and the brand is well known and highly regarded both domestically in Australia and internationally. Brak Pak is major producers of tomatoes, mangoes, pumpkins and butternut pumpkins.
Brak Pak and JH Leavy & Co have worked together for over 25 years. The partnership involves managing the warehousing, distribution, marketing and export programmes exclusively for Brak Pak. Mr Bartlett says it can consistently provide more than 400,000 cartons of tomatoes a year.
"Brak Pak’s key point of difference has long been their quality, the consistency of that quality, the pack type which maintains high quality and delivers a visually attractive product, and a commitment to ensuring the consumer experience is exceeded every time," he said.
JH Leavy also supplies other tomato brands to the market, making one of the major players in the industry.
"We handle other brands of tomatoes as well bringing our total supply to Australia and overseas markets in excess of 600,000 cartons of tomatoes a year," Mr Bartlett said. "We offer supply 12 months of the year, with the largest volume period is June through to December. We are currently exporting tomatoes to New Zealand. The window of opportunity to this market is usually small and during the coldest months of New Zealand’s winter. Being part of Darling Group and having offices in both New Zealand and Australia helps us to best optimise the opportunity when we do have it."
Brak Pak has also just commenced its butternut season, which is also showing promising signs for the growers.
"We started supply in July which was timely given the transition from southern supply regions," he said. "Supply is looking good and we expect to see a similar season to last year which supplied 250,000 kilograms. At this stage, we expect to deliver 15,000 cartons and 1000 bins this season."
Brak Pak’s Japanese Pumpkin programme peaks at 1,000 tonne, while their mangoes round out the products carrying the brand at 30,000 trays. Mango volumes are growing however JH Leavy says it is too early to say what, if any, effect Debbie’s wind had on this year’s crop.
For more information:
Ben Bartlett
JH Leavy & Co
Phone: +61 7 3379 4659