AU: Producer calls on industry to address glut issues

The fruit and vegetable industry has long been plagued by periods of product over supply. It may mean cheap prices for shoppers, but it puts strain on horticultural businesses. Now a north Queensland producer is calling on the industry to make serious changes to stop gluts occurring in the future. Charlie DeDomenico grows capsicums and rockmelons in the Burdekin, south of Townsville. He was getting such poor prices for his product throughout 2011, he was forced to leave crops in the ground.

He says it's time that fruit and vegetables growers put in place strategies to stop the oversupply, and keep everyone viable. "The approach would be to grow only what can be sold," he says. "If you have a good year the previous year, it's silly to go in there and double up the second year." The peak body that represents the vegetable industry is Ausvege. The Chairman John Brent says he doesn't believe the oversupply is a result of growers producing too much. But he says the most important issue is making sure Australians are encouraged to buy more fruit and vegetables.

Source: abc.net.au