While growers appreciate rain, it may often be excessive. Additionally, rain is viewed as a godsend in a place like Australia, where summer temperatures can reach dangerously high levels. “The weather has been fairly nice over the last six months,” says Vincent Eysseric of Coolibah Herbs, “but we did have an abnormally rainy spring.” It is undeniable that it was wet all the way down the east coast from Queensland to Victoria from September to the end of last year. The Australian citizens also experienced a large storm with hail, but it has been back to normal since around mid-December, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 24 to 33 degrees. Moreover, there were no excesses as witnessed in the past.
People have been eating properly during the pandemic, thus interest in fresh cut produce has been strong in recent years. “Spinach has been the great winner here, with its popularity skyrocketing in the previous 2-3 years. Organic spinach currently accounts for about half of our spinach sales in Australia, so if you cultivate organic spinach, you’re on to a winner”. Australia has experienced a more tranquil era than it has had since the outbreak began, but everything changed again in January when the country opened its state and international borders and declared that lockdowns were no longer necessary.
Retail has remained strong throughout, but they are now having supply chain issues and staff shortages and according to Vincent they can’t get his produce on the shelves. “We are also short on labour due to diseases and people isolating; we are still suffering the effects of the loss of 300,000 backpackers who made up Australia’s workforce. Our borders are now open, but getting into the nation is so difficult, with laws changing constantly and the constant possibility of another shutdown, that it is simply too dangerous for backpackers to travel. Only 20% of the flights are landing compared to before the pandemic.
Export remains challenging due to a lack of commercial planes and freight that is three times more expensive than before.
Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
People have been eating properly during the pandemic, thus interest in fresh cut produce has been strong in recent years. Organic spinach currently accounts for about half the spinach sales in Australia. #TheIndianSun #Agribiz @hyellina https://t.co/y047SU8o5T
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) January 29, 2022
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
