Canberra: Australia’s horticulture sector has been passing through a tough time due to natural calamities and arising trade tensions, increasing difficulties for farmers and markets. Downpour in some areas of Queensland has disrupted the harvest of several fruits such as avocados, bananas, citrus fruits, and mixed vegetables. The moisture in the atmosphere has destroyed the crop quality, which has slowed down the supply of fruits and vegetables from the East Coast in the coming week.
Farmers are struggling with the planting of autumn crops like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, kale, and spinach. This could impact early-winter supplies. Cyclone Alfred was expected to damage macadamia orchards but caused less harm than feared. Still, the Australian Macadamia Society slightly lowered the 2025 crop forecast to 55,960 tonnes in shell.
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A drop in the production of fruits and vegetables has enhanced the prices of horticultural productivity in early 2025. The price in the wholesale market is above compared to last year. If the weather situation improves, then prices are likely to drop this month.
A new 10% U.S. tariff on Australian exports won’t directly hit most horticultural growers, as their shipments to the U.S. are modest. However, trade competition may grow as other countries like Chile also face U.S. tariffs and seek new markets.
Australia sends its horticultural produce to China in bulk, but a slowdown in Chinese demand will affect the fruits and nut exporters. They have to look for new markets. In spite of international market pressure, domestic market and trade expansion is essential to keep the morale of the industry high in the remaining months of 2025.