Australia is in lockdown just like many countries around the world, but agriculture and food supply remain key sectors and supply channels have remained open. Tasmania has closed its borders too.
“We have split up our work teams to limit any spread of the virus and we are adhering to social distancing rules, to keep our workers as safe as possible,” said Jim Ertler from Premium Fresh.
“We are still working, washing and packing etc. The onion harvest started a couple of months ago and is relatively positive at this stage with some reasonably good opportunities. The Australian market has changed quite a bit and we are mostly exporting at the moment. The larger sizes seem to be more difficult to sell. The volumes are quite good despite a challenging damp summer and the harvest is nearly complete.”
Premium Fresh are also harvesting carrots, Dutch carrots Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower turnips and beetroot.
"As yet, there have no arrivals into Europe but they will arrive this month, we already have set prices into Europe and it is a reasonably good market. Shipping is challenging at the moment, it’s difficult getting equipment and it can be expensive. It is a challenging world just now.”
For more information:
Jim Ertler
Premium Fresh Tasmania
Tel: +61 3649 888 88
Email: jim.ertler@premiumfresh.com.au
www.premiumfresh.com.au