AUSTRALIA: Panama disease detected at Qld banana farm
2020-08-25
A suspected case of a disease capable of wiping out banana crops has been detected on a farm in Far North Queensland.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Traces of 2,000-year-old banana farm found
2020-08-19
New research suggests Australia’s Indigenous communities have cultivated bananas for at least 2,000 years. The findings challenge the once-predominant view that these early humans were exclusively hunter gatherers, says lead author Robert Williams, an archaeologist at Australian National University, in a statement.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Workers from Vanuatu to harvest mangoes in the NT despite Australia’s coronavirus travel ban
2020-08-12
Despite Australia’s borders being shut to overseas arrivals, up to 170 workers from Vanuatu will be brought to the Northern Territory under a pilot program aimed at filling labour shortages in the mango growing industry.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: NT mango producers reconsider viability of early green mangoes as Vietnamese imports double
2020-07-30
Top End mango growers are considering whether it’s worthwhile to send their early-season green mangoes to southern markets, with Vietnamese imports more than doubling this year.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Feral pigs threatening banana and pork industries
2020-07-26
Australian Banana Growers’ Council deputy chair Leon Collins told a Senate inquiry feral pigs were spreading Panama TR4, a devastating fungal disease with no treatment.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Ancient fruit ripe for modern plates
2020-05-31
An Indigenous fruit which is one of the earliest known plant foods eaten in Australia could be the next big thing in the bush foods industry.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory confirmed as mango king, producing 52 per cent of national crop
2020-05-21
SOURCE: Matt Brann, ABC Rural The Australian mango industry has released its final numbers for the 2019/20 season, and they show Australia produced more than 10.6 million trays of the tropical fruit. It was the nation’s third biggest mango crop on record and the third season in a row theContinue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Papaya demand returning to normal for the autumn season
2020-04-29
SOURCE: Matt Russell, Freshplaza Demand for Australian papaya has returned to normal, following the increase in retail purchasing immediately following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. North Queensland growers, Skybury, noticed a small reduction in demand following the ‘panic buying’ that Australia went through, but it has now levelled out with retailersContinue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Avocado farmers call for brunch lovers to smash them at home during coronavirus isolation
2020-04-07
SOURCE: Melanie Groves and Charlie McKillop, ABC Rural Australia’s avocado growers are urging brunch lovers to keep up their smashed avo habit at home after a dramatic crash in the market set off by the coronavirus shutdown of cafes and restaurants. The food-service industry is a massive market for avocadoContinue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Pomelos from the Northern Territory overcoming big challenges to get to market
2020-03-23
It has been a tough few years for one of Australia’s biggest pomelo farms, but better times are hopefully just around the corner.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Taiwan gets green light to export pineapples
2020-03-19
Australia on announced that it will allow the import of pineapples grown in Taiwan, effective immediately.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Coronavirus pandemic driving strong demand for local fruit and vegetables
2020-03-19
As humanity’s most pressing health crisis plays out across the globe, Australian consumers appear to be rushing to boost their immunity with locally grown vegetables.Continue Reading