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Market Review
Well, what can we say about September? At the time of writing, we have started to see a glimmer of hope on the horizon after what has been a fairly 'flat' month.
A glut of produce on the Market in many lines has seen prices generally at low levels across the board. Perfect growing conditions have seen most crops flourishing, with a 'steady' demand not meeting the influx of supply.
The exception to this has been watermelons, which have been performing reasonably, and some of the salad crops are starting to pick up.
But there is certainly the smell of Summer in the air! Low chill varieties of stonefruit have started to appear, as have the first trays of mangoes out of Northern Territory.
Certainly, with school holidays on the agenda the last few weeks of the month and early in October for southern states, we don't expect to see any great gains until after this time, but look forward to a more optimistic market in the traditional lead-up to Christmas.
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Government backs down on horticulture penalty rates
Fruit and vegetable growers are celebrating changes to the incoming Horticulture Award.
The industry had claimed it couldn't afford to pay new overtime rates and minimum pay rates that were due start next year.
But the Workplace Relations Minister, Julia Gillard, has now asked for those planned changes to be scrapped.
John Wilson, from Fruit Growers Victoria, says it's a practical decision.
"We need to be able to work on Saturdays and Sundays without penalty," he says.
"In saying that, all we are asking is for the existing version of the Horticultural Award with regards to normal hours to continue.
"It's working very, very well for a long time and it's common-sense, that if something isn't broke, there is no need to fix it."
The Industrial Relations Commission will now decide whether the award back down is permanent, or will be reconsidered in two years.
Source: abc.net.au
Publication date: 28/8/2009
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Bright outlook for mango season
The 2009 Northern Territory mango season looks set to produce close to 2.5 million trays of fruit.
Director of Plant Industries with the Department of Regional Development, Primary Industry, Fisheries and Resources, Stuart Smith, predicts the busiest time of year will be mid-October.
"We predict somewhere between 2.2 million and 2.5 million trays of mangoes coming off Territory farms and with melon production down in Kununurra, there will be less pressure on transporters to move the produce to markets," Mr Smith said.
"NT producers are expected to benefit from an early season which will see their fruit hit the markets well before Queensland grown produce, which won't be picked until the end of the NT season.
"At the moment there is no shortage of harvest labour in the Territory meaning growers should not struggle to find staff as has happened in previous years.
"During the 2008 season 15,547 tonnes of mangoes were sold at an estimated value of $38 million," Mr Smith said.
The 2009 mango crop forecast is available online at www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_ Industry
Source: nqr.farmonline.com.au
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Brisbane gets ready for Mango Auction
Brisbane Markets Limited has announced the annual Mango Auction will be held on Thursday 8 October 2009. The first symbolic tray of mangoes for the season will be auctioned off to the highest bidder and all money raised on the day will go to charities Redkite and Life Education Qld.
The action packed event will include the Grand Parade, Hogs Breath Brisbane Broncos Cheerleaders, a great range of auction items, Australia's leading auctioneer Haesley Cush and much more.
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This month's joke!!
Can I have some Irish Sausages, please?" asked the Irishman, walking up to the counter.
The assistant looked at him and asked: "Are you Irish?"
"If I had asked you for Italian sausage, would you ask me if I was Italian?" demanded the Irishman indignantly.
"Or, if I asked for German Bratwurst, would you ask me if I was German?"
Then, warming to his theme, he went on: "Or if I asked you for a Kosher hot dog, would you ask me if I was Jewish?"
"Or, if I asked you for a taco, would you ask me if I was Mexican? Would Ya? Would Ya?"
The assistant said: "Well, no!"
Suitably encouraged by the success of his logic, and pleased to strike a blow against the Irish stereotype, the Irishman steps it up a gear.
"And if I asked you for frogs' legs, would you ask me if I was French?"
"What about Danish Bacon, would you ask me if I was Danish?"
"Well no, I probably wouldn't", conceded the assistant.
So, now bursting with righteous indignation, the Irishman says: "Well, all right then, why did you ask me if I'm Irish just because I asked for Irish sausages?"
The assistant replied: "Because you're in Bunnings, you idiot!"
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Here is a list of just some of the produce available right now* at Pershouse Produce |
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Apples
Broad beans
Brocolli
Brocollini
Brussel Sprouts
Butter Beans
Capsicums |
Carambola
Cauliflower
Eschallots
Grapes
Honeydew Melon
Mangoes
Kipfler Potatoes |
Kiwifruit
Okra Beans
Potatoes
Pumpkins
Rockmelons
Spring Onions
Sth Gold Potatoes |
Sweet Potatoes
Taro
Tomatoes
Watermelons |
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*subject to supply conditions.
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