Melon Industry welcomes positive response from consumers

Australian melon growers are buoyed by support from retailers, consumers and export markets.

A growers meeting held yesterday in North Queensland heard that Woolworths have returned rockmelon to some stores in Queensland.

Industry Development Manager, Dianne Fullelove welcomed the support from Woolworths and other retailers.

“The northern melon season will commence soon and fruit from North Queensland, the Northern Territory and the north of Western Australia will be available in stores” Ms Fullelove said.

“Growers in these regions want to reassure consumers that they have been reviewing their processing practices to ensure that the rockmelons are safe to eat.”

In another positive for the industry, demand from an important export market has increased. A large Western Australian rockmelon exporter has reported that Japanese contacts have placed rockmelon orders.

Ms Fullelove said that “This is a huge vote of confidence in our industry and the efforts we are making to ensure that Australian rockmelons meet customers’ expectations – both here in Australia and internationally”.

“We want to reassure consumers that the industry has redoubled its efforts to safeguard the standard of rockmelons.”

The industry has funded a program of support and development to bolster practices for growers and partnered with State health authorities to drive compliance to ensure consumer safety.

Safe food guidelines for all melon farmers focus on stringent safety practices in the growing and processing stages.

For interviews and more information:
Dianne Fullelove
Industry Development Manager
Tel: +61 413101646
idp@melonsaustralia.org.au

Publication date: Wed 28 Mar 2018