August 31, 2021

Stone fruit production in Australia is forecast to increase in marketing year (MY) 2021/22, following an MY 2020/21 season that was impacted by a shortage of labour supply at harvest and export freight logistics challenges borne about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Cherry production is forecast to increase by 11 per cent, and peaches and nectarines […]

While consumers are making fewer trips to the retail store to buy fresh produce, there is an increased spend in the dollar amount each time they visit. The most recent data has been impacted by COVID-19 and the lockdowns experienced in Australia, which have led to changes in consumer trends. But there are some good

A range of vegetable and fruit viruses have been detected in seeds from overseas, demonstrating the significant biosecurity risks that illegal seed imports can pose. Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr. Gabrielle Vivian-Smith, said a variety of seeds were imported for testing and research purposes, and the majority carried viruses of concern. Seeds are the most

Bonus beneficial winter weather may have put a smile on some horticulture producers’ faces, but it’s the uncertainty around labour that continues to shove price predictions around the most, according to Rural Bank’s Australian agriculture mid-year outlook.  The report analyses the performance of six industries – cattle, cropping, dairy, horticulture, sheep, wool and the broader

he Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a temporary regulatory treatment for loans impacted by COVID-19, meaning that for eligible borrowers, the banks will not treat a repayment deferral as a loan restructuring or the period of deferral as arrears. In July, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) announced regulatory support for banks offering temporary