Lockyer Valley lettuce farmers devastated by a natural disaster sequence urgently need a multi-million dollar relief package to prevent them from leaving the industry, the horticulture group has warned.
Key points:
- Southeast Queensland lettuce growers are struggling after months of flooding
- Some growers have lost three crops in a row
- Growcom is asking for a multi-million dollar flood relief package to support farming communities over the next two years.
Growcom Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Shannon said some lettuce farmers had lost their third crop in a row, risking the collapse of their business after the February floods and months of unexpected rainfall.
It has caused iceberg lettuce prices in supermarkets to go up to $ 12 each, while other fresh vegetables are still being retailed at high prices after months of scarcity and severe weather.
Fast food company KFC has also told customers they expect a mixture of lettuce and cabbage in its products due to the constant supply shortage caused by flooding in Queensland and NSW.
“We’re a little cautious when it comes to drawing a direct line between any natural disaster and rising prices and effects in the grocery aisle, but that’s the case this time around,” Shannon told ABC Radio Brisbane.
“A week ago, if you had been in the Lockyer Valley, you would have smelled rotten crops.”
Call for funding packages
Growcom is urging state and federal governments to develop a “generous” relief package to support farmers, on a scale similar to the relief package offered to northwestern beef producers after the 2019 floods.
The impact of Southeast Queensland’s humid climate on local economies was similar to that disastrous monsoon, said Shannon, which caused a $ 2 billion damage bill and killed thousands of livestock.
More than 500,000 cattle died in the 2019 Queensland floods. (Supplied)
“[Lettuce growers] They have not been able to harvest and, where they have done so, they have only found that a small part of the crop is ready for the market, it is not affected by disease, “said Shannon.
“It’s been a devastating time in the Lockyer Valley for lettuce growers and other growers across the state. [and] north of NSW “.
Fear for the peasants
In the Lockyer Valley, Mr. Shannon said Growcom was concerned about the effects of the flow of farmers closing the store to local communities.
“It means, unfortunately, these producers will leave the industry,” he said.
“It’s a very hard time. It’s a devastating time in the Lockyer Valley.
“For these cities, Laidley and Gatton depend on the horticultural industry [for] the jobs we offer.
“They are the soul of these particular communities and economies.”
A notice on the KFC website and in stores warns customers that they are waiting for their products. (Supplied)
Crops on the Sunshine Coast, such as pineapple and strawberries, and as far north as Bowen, where tomatoes and peppers are grown, have also been severely affected by Queensland’s unusually wet autumn.
Queensland Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said disaster assistance had been made available in accordance with “long-standing federal state disaster financing agreements.”
“Queensland has introduced an online survey for producers to help speed up the timeframe for making the necessary damage assessments to ensure that such assistance is available,” Furner said.
“Primary producers outside regions declared as disasters can apply for an individual declaration of ownership affected by the disaster and also access assistance.”
Posted yesterday at 2:55 AM, Monday, June 6, 2022 at 2:55 AM, updated 10 hours ago, 10 hours ago, Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 3:12 AM