Far North Queensland citrus growers are feeling the squeeze as imported pomelos from Vietnam flood the Australian market, forcing local farmers to leave fruit rotting on the ground.
Price Crash Hits Mareeba Growers
Mareeba farmer Zoran Priznic, 20, who sells his fruit in Melbourne, said the influx of foreign fruit has driven prices down from $5 to $3 per kilo. The Priznic farm, located near Mareeba, had hoped for a bumper pomelo season after lime prices dipped. 'How can we compete against their low wages and the plastic-wrapped fruit when we are not allowed to use plastic?' Mr Priznic asked.
Pomelo is the largest citrus fruit, known for its mild, sweet, and less acidic taste compared to grapefruit.
Import Volumes Set to Increase
Vietnamese local media reported that the first 940kg shipment of green-skin pomelo was transported by air as a pilot batch, with plans to send about 20 tonnes per week. Australia also allows pomelo imports from the USA, Israel, Spain, and New Zealand, provided they meet biosecurity conditions.
According to Citrus Australia, Queensland has 5703 hectares of combined citrus planted, contributing 20 per cent of the country's citrus industry.
Farmers Forced to Abandon Fruit
The Caamano family’s farm, which has 18,000 lime trees and 800 pomelo trees, has left pomelo fruit on the ground due to low prices. Grower Tina Caamano said they were also hit hard by rising freight costs, with fuel and fertiliser doubling in price. 'This has added $200 to $300 per tonne to freight, fertiliser has gone up and the amount that’s available in Australia is dropping quickly,' she said. 'Nothing comes down that quickly and we are stuck with high prices for a while.'
Political Response
Federal Kennedy MP Bob Katter, who said he has been fighting against imported fruit for more than a decade, plans to raise the issue in parliament this week. 'How do we compete against government support for Vietnamese growers? The last time I looked they get a lot of help,' he said. 'How do you explain that Australia now depends on overseas farmers for 42 per cent of its fruit and vegetables?'
Mr Katter added: 'We can make representation to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and there’s a chance they might stop it for a month and have a look at it, that’s the way we will look at it but I don’t want to raise your hopes yet.'
Biosecurity Concerns
The Federal Government’s biosecurity report identified 19 quarantine pests associated with Vietnamese fruit, including citrus canker and the Asian citrus psyllid. In its final biosecurity import report, the federal department of agriculture said the risk management measures proposed provide an appropriate level of protection against these pests.
