Australia’s fruit and vegetable supply is facing devastation as the damage continues to be surveyed in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie.
The Bowen region, where Cyclone Debbie’s destruction had locals comparing their neighbourhood to a “war zone”, bore the brunt of the tropical cyclone’s wrath.
Bowen also happens to be known among farmers as the ‘fruit bowl of Australia’ in that it provides around 95 per cent of red and green capsicums and tomatoes to consumers.
“In the Bowen region, the majority of crops grown include tomatoes, capsicum, beans, corn, melons and pumpkins,” Anthony Joseph, managing director at fruit and vegetable wholesaler Alfred E. Chave, told 9Finance.
“In the winter months that region supplies almost the entire country with those crops.”
As a result of the damage caused by the cyclone, it is now estimated that prices of tomatoes will soar to $10 per kilogram.
“Farmers have spent weeks preparing their crops for the peak season over winter – it’s going to be devastating,” Joseph continues.
Rockmelons, passionfruits, beans and avocado prices are also predicted to increase, says Nick Martelli of Allcrops to Today.
“Conservatively, I would say 50 to 60 per cent increase on current prices,” he explains.
“There will be a shortage. We have no other areas in Australia that can compensate for that little block that Debbie has put on us now.”
More Debbie coverage below.
