Banana growers in North Queensland, responsible for nearly 95% of Australia's banana supply, are evaluating the aftermath of recent intense rain and flooding. While the situation recalls past weather events like Tropical Cyclone Yasi in 2011, which devastated 90% of crops, the current scenario appears less severe. Gavin Eilers from Tropicana Farms notes, "Overall the fruit wasn't affected," despite wet and boggy conditions.
The Australian Banana Growers' Council emphasizes the logistical challenges more than crop damage. Chairman Leon Collins highlights, "We've got bananas everywhere in trucks waiting to go south on the inland roads." Disruptions stem from infrastructure damage, notably the Bruce Highway and inland routes, rather than crop loss. Queensland Transport is prioritizing road restorations, with Minister Brent Mickelberg stating, "We are working as quickly as we can to restore full services on our roads."
Retailers are adjusting to these conditions. Before the storm, bananas were offered at $2.50 per kilogram in major cities. However, transportation issues have led to excess supply in northern regions, with prices dropping to $2 per kilogram in Townsville. A Coles spokesperson stated, "We have had bananas on specials in Queensland as a way to support our customers given the volume we had available."
Leon Collins anticipates a temporary gap in supply due to the ripening process but expects a return to normalcy. "Banana growers are a very resilient mob," he says, stressing the need for price recovery to address flood-related damages.
Source: ABC News