Fruit

The ACCC is investigating the disparity between supermarket check-out prices and farmgate prices and one thing it could recommend is a mandatory code of conduct. But would it make the market fairer for growers?

Shoppers have seen the price of local fruit and veg skyrocket, but canned produce remains relatively cheap. One expert says there are several worrying reasons for this. 

Some Australian producers turn their backs on the major supermarkets because of what they say are unfair prices at the farm gate.

Laura Ridout hoped her blueberry farm would put the Scotsburn Hills on the map. Instead, Apple took her farm off it and it turns out she's not alone.

Lovers of dried fruit could face shortages of some Australian-grown products this year as unfavourable weather conditions create a global decline in production.

Weeks of wild weather in Victoria is likely to mean less stone fruit on supermarket shelves, after hail and heavy rain smashed Australia's main production regions, costing growers millions of dollars in losses.

Grocery prices rose and major supermarkets made billion-dollar profits last year, but Bundaberg farmer Trevor Cross fears rock-bottom produce prices will force him to leave the industry he loves — and there are many others like him.

Farming can be tough and normally the sound of rain is welcome, but for Tasmanian cherry farmers Gene and Laura, recent downpours had them "swearing and cursing", knowing their crop was unlikely to survive.

Queensland growers are on high alert this week with devastating floods increasing the possible spread of Panama TR4 fungal disease — the greatest threat to banana production worldwide.

Far North Queensland fruit growers count the cost of devastating floods that have all but destroyed some small businesses.

Far North Queensland growers are reporting major losses to Cyclone Jasper and torrential rain as the tropical fruit season peaks for Christmas, including sweeping damage across mango orchards.

A meeting at a Melbourne restaurant 10 years ago has helped open revenue streams for a north-east Victorian cherry grower as he diversifies to lessen the blow of consecutive rough seasons.

Several wet years and this month's cooler, spring-type temperatures have been ideal for raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, but as prices drop at the supermarket there's a real fear expenses will overtake profits for growers.

While Central Australia’s largest melon farm's yields have been affected by bushfire ash this year, these workers from Timor-Leste still have plenty of harvesting, and singing, ahead of them. 

From pink custard apples and sweeter capsicums that resemble the colour of chocolate, these Queensland farmers are working to bring innovative new varieties to supermarket shelves.

Simplot Australia, which owns brands including Edgell, says natural disasters have led to a shortage of Australian-grown vegetables, forcing it to look outside the country for supply.

Many shoppers are questioning whether supermarket prices are fair, and so next year the Senate will examine claims of price gouging by Coles and Woolworths.

Advocates say a simple change would stop Australian households from unwittingly throwing out perfectly edible food, and they are banding together to get the regulator on board.

The longevity of Greenhill Orchards comes down to the dedication of the Yeomans family, innovation, and their love of all things fruit.

The stone fruit is a mainstay for holiday festivities but recent rain has affected supply as well as the look of the fruit.

A Central Australian Aboriginal community hopes to improve the health of residents and increase food security by re-establishing a once plentiful orchard that has fallen into disrepair.

The manager of a charity that organises food donations for people in need says she is "distressed" by the amount of produce a new Townsville supermarket has sent to landfill.

People hoping to spend less this Christmas may need to look to areas other than the dinner table, with favourites like cherries and lobster not expected drop much in price from last year.

It takes two weeks for these Aussie mangoes to go from a farm to a US supermarket shelf. But for Manbulloo Mangoes it's been worth it.

Shaun Jackson grows niche varieties of melons and, just as Australians are cutting back on fruit, an expanding Japanese market can't get enough of them.