All over Australia, prices for fruits and vegetables are up. Still, the sectors are feeling the drag of increased costs due largely to difficulties sourcing labor. According to ANZ's latest Agri Commodity Report, since just prior to Covid in 2020, retail vegetable prices have increased by more than 8 per cent, while fruit prices have actually fallen slightly, despite some quarter to quarter volatility.
The prices of fruit as an input to manufacturing has risen by almost 20pc in the same period, and vegetable prices have risen 2 per cent. ANZ Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Insights director Madeleine Swan said while manufacturing input prices are not a direct indicator of farmgate prices, and will also reflect a lack of cheaper imports, it does provide a rough guide to what prices farmers are receiving.
Source: queenslandcountrylife.com.au