In Australia, an Alice Springs grape producer, Rocky Hill Table Grapes, has ceased operations, attributing the closure to the stringent standards and accreditation demands of the nation's leading supermarkets.
Founded in 2002 in Undoolya, the business provided green seedless grapes across Australia, with an annual output of 700 to 1000 tonnes from 150 acres. Owner Richie Hayes highlighted the challenge of meeting supermarket specifications, which led to discarding up to 70% of edible fruit for not meeting size or color criteria. The pursuit of larger fruit, as demanded by supermarkets, resulted in increased production costs without a corresponding rise in fruit prices, impacting profitability.
Both Coles and Woolworths, while not directly supplied by Rocky Hill, emphasized their commitment to sourcing from Australian growers and adapting standards in response to market and climatic conditions. They underscored efforts to minimize food waste and support suppliers through flexible specifications and various initiatives. Woolworths noted its collaboration with farmers to adjust specifications, ensuring the delivery of quality Australian produce despite varying conditions.
Source: 9news.com.au