Autumn 2021 Issue 72 Hort worth $15 BILLION p6 Perspectives ON SEASONALITY p20 Avocados SET THE PASE p31 The magazine of Your source of fresh information for the fruit and vegetable industry Print post approved pp 100001181 Toyota Material Handling is the forklift leader in Australia’s fresh fruit and vegetable markets. 1. Proven performers in the fruit and vegetable markets environment 2. New and used forklift purchase, rental or lease options 3. Superior service and parts back-up and support 4. Massive range with Toyota Material Handling’s world leading products 5. Flexible finance deals through Toyota Finance 6. Stability of dealing with the world’s largest forklift company To make the smart choice and discover how Toyota Material Handling can make a difference to your operations, contact your local branch Hand Pallet Power Pallet Order Walkie Reach Battery Engine Elevated Sweepers Trucks Trucks Pickers Stackers Forklifts Counterbalance Counterbalance Work Platforms & Scrubbers Toyota Material Handling offer • New Sales • Pre-owned • Rentals 1800 425 438 • Finance • Service and Parts www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au CEO comment It is amazing how quickly the world changes. After 18 months of carting water to nourish the region’s horticulture, the rain provided relief for growers but we will Thirty years ago, having a computer in your pocket was need to see this significant rainfall continue over the course of unthinkable and yet today we don’t give a thought to the the year to ensure it makes a lasting dent on the devastating amazing power that is a smartphone. Now, we are witnessing drought. a dramatic uptake in technology and innovation in the wake of the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Piece rates under review In this edition of Fresh Source, we are highlighting one of these The Australian Labor Party and the Australian Workers technologies on the increase by including QR codes throughout Union (AWU) are attempting to change the Horticulture the magazine as a way to link you to further information and Award to provide a floor of the minimum hourly rate for all video content. pieceworkers. Use your phone to scan the QR codes throughout or, if you are However, the Horticulture Award already stipulates that piece reading the digital edition, you can also click on the code to be rate payments must allow the average worker to earn 15% linked to the additional material. more than the minimum wage. The floor already exists. It will be very interesting to see what sticks around long after If individual growers or labour hire companies are not meeting COVID-19 ceases to be a threat to our daily lives. this requirement, then the Fair Work Commission needs to be investigating those operators that are not doing the right thing. Growth in value for fresh produce The entire industry should not be tarnished by the actions of It is heartening to see that the value of Australia’s horticulture a few. production has increased again (see page 6) and as an industry we continue to grow to new heights. However, these figures Worthy honour for BML Chair reflect the 2019/20 financial year and do not capture the whole The announcement of the Australia Day Honours List saw impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures. fresh produce industry stalwart and Brisbane Markets Limited While the beginning of the vaccine roll-out across the world Chairman, Tony Joseph, recognised for his dedication, service shows us there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the and commitment to the industry, extending over 50 years. COVID-19 health crisis, this is by no means the end of the While involved with his own business interests, Tony’s passion pandemic’s impact on the fresh produce supply chain. for the fresh produce sector extended to a tireless commitment The continued international border closures will have a lasting to industry organisations at both a state and national level. impact on Australia’s growers’ ability to pick fresh produce I have worked alongside Tony over many years and his and it shouldn’t be a surprise if this becomes reflected in the dedication to the industry and BML together with the support volume, price and quality of produce coming through the he has provided to me and my team has always underpinned market. the ongoing stability and success we have been able to achieve. The industry has proved resilient so far, but when reviewing It is great to see Tony rewarded for his service to the industry. the results of the National Lost Crop Register (see page 10) it You can read more about his career and his appointment to the is clear that the long-term financial and emotional costs are Order of Australia on page 15. just beginning to be counted. As reported on page 11, there is currently no end in sight and won’t be until state and federal governments put a workable solution in place. Cloudy skies provide relief It was heartening to hear that the Granite Belt region received Andrew Young, significant rainfall in March, with Warwick, Stanthorpe and Chief Executive Officer, Applethorpe all receiving well over their monthly average. BML and Brismark Autumn 2021 FRESH SOURCE 3 27 15 7 Contents 6 Fresh Updates 23 Fresh Retailing 6 Horticulture production now worth over $15 billion 23 Shop local and win off to a flying start 7 Banana growers face long recovery after 24 Geo-targeting gets results for members Tropical Cyclone Niran 24 Pick of the Crop swings into action 8 BML shouts growers to Bulls Masters BBQ in Bundaberg 26 A better choice! member spotlight 9 Fightback starts against fall armyworm 10 Counting the cost of COVID’s impact on growers 27 Fresh Industry 12 Industry feedback to inform piecework defence 27 Mushroom industry votes to keep levy 12 Calls to review flawed health rating 28 Siebum takes reins at Freshcare 14 Connecting the industry in the year of fruit and vegetables 28 Kelly takes the lead for mangoes 29 Sharing skills to solve problems 15 Fresh Markets 29 Projects in the pipeline 15 Lifetime of service recognised 30 Alliance elects new chair 16 Collaborative approach to safety 30 Caring community supports dam class action 16 Arcella moves in 16 Keeping market memories alive 31 Fresh Export 17 Valentine’s sales point to another strong year 31 Stepping up the PASE for avocados for flower industry 32 Reports make export decisions easier 18 Lychees growth on track 32 Keeping track of melon exports 19 Markets show support for Fair Farms 33 Pandemic drives exports down 19 Flair for business awarded 34 China challenges cherries 34 Strategic pivot helps citrus in Asia 20 Fresh Perspectives 34 Fakes found 20 Working together through every season BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED | ABN 39 064 983 017 Fresh Source is the magazine of Brisbane Markets PO Box 80, Brisbane Markets®, Rocklea, Queensland 4106 Limited. New editions of the magazine are printed three times a year. Advertising and editorial inquiries E [email protected] are welcome and media outlets are invited to use www.brisbanemarkets.com.au W material without acknowledgement. Fresh Source is ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES printed on Australian made recycled stock. Editor: Seren Trump, Brisbane Markets Limited P 07 3915 4200 E [email protected] DESIGN Effigy CreativeP 07 3040 4343 | PRINT Buckner Printing P 07 3865 9677 4 FRESH SOURCE Autumn 2021 Fighting Pests with Data Instead of Poison Flick’s SMART Pest Control provides businesses with an intelligent and non-toxic solution to remotely monitor rodent problems 24/7. The system records and transmits data in real time to before it gets out of hand. The Flick team takes care of the assessment, installation, surveillance, maintenance and on-site inspections. Around the clock surveillance Avoid costly problems & damage Analyse data in real time Detects & targets blind spots Non-toxic pest control For a SMART pest tailored solution 24/7 Peace of mind call 13 14 40 or visit flick.com.au Fresh Updates Supply chain metrics for all fruit - Horticulture financial year ending June 2020 production now Fresh Import worth over 108,263t $416m $15 billion Fresh Export Retail 515,435t 1,478,075t $1,475m 100% Horticulture exceeded $15 billion in production value in the $4,744m financial year ended 30 June 2020, according to the latest Horticulture Statistics Handbook released in February. 20% 88% The Hort Innovation report showed that although production 61% volume decreased by 1.5% due to seasonal conditions such Production Fresh Supply 2,574,347t 1,673,661t 12% as drought and bushfires, value increased by 4.5%, from $5,695m 19% $5,406m $14.4 billion to $15.1 billion. In the financial year ended 30 June 2019, both Victoria and Queensland produced 30% of Australia’s fruit with the sunshine state just ahead of Victoria on tonnage (810,771 Food Service compared to 802,818). In the financial year ending 30 June Processing 195,586t 2020, Queensland had the largest share of fruit production, 492,265t $662m accounting for 32% of all fruit production with 821,484 tonnes. Across both financial years, Queensland remained the biggest producer of vegetables with a 24% share in both years, producing 908,399 tonnes in 2019 and 906,550 tonnes in 2020. Supply chain metrics for all vegetables - According Hort Innovation Head of Data and Insights, financial year ending June 2020 Adam Briggs, the growth in horticulture’s value showed that consumers were still supporting and purchasing Australian fruit, vegetables and nuts despite price increases. “Nuts have performed extremely well again, having grown Fresh Import by $221 million, one-third of the total growth in horticulture 32,845t value,” Mr Briggs said.