As consumers enjoy $1.00 strawberries at the supermarket, it’s been revealed Queensland Strawberry fields are being killed off.
Queensland Strawberry Growers’ Association president Adrian Schultz says demand is down 50 percent this growing season, while a statement on the website for Stanthorpe based Ashbern Farms shows that the season is closed.
In a post on their website, “We’ve had people asking how they can help the farmers while there is less demand coming from areas in lockdown, and the most helpful thing to do is to keeping enjoying Queensland strawberries!”.
Mr Schultz says growers have been slammed by the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on sales in New South Wales and Victoria.
The cost of producing a punnet of strawberries is about $1.30 but supermarkets selling them for just $1.00 which means they’re being sold at a loss.
Mr Schultz is hopeful that the impact of the reduced demand won’t result in more strawberry farmers going to the wall..
