By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Much of the canned fruit available on supermarket shelves comes either from a small area in Victoria's Goulburn Valley or from overseas. However, the option to buy Australian made fruit may soon disappear after SPC, a major fruit supplier, announced it would significantly reduce its supply of canned peaches and pears.
Max Wright, who has supplied fruit to SPC for 35 years, expressed concern over the potential decline of Australia's food processing industry, which has been active since the early 1900s. He hopes his 31 year old son, Joey Wright, who recently joined the family business, can have a long career in the industry. However, SPC's decision to cut its fruit intake by 37% in the 2025 growing season has left the Wrights and over 60 other growers in the region uncertain about their future.
SPC cited the cost of living crisis as the reason for reducing purchases, noting that consumers are increasingly opting for cheaper imported canned fruit from countries like South Africa and China, where production costs are lower. This competitive disadvantage has made it difficult for Australian growers and SPC to compete.
Matt Cornish, a third generation fruit farmer, grows fresh citrus on his 500 hectare farm but relies heavily on peaches and pears for canning. Like other growers, he is waiting for SPC's final decision to determine his future. Cornish emphasized the superior quality of Australian grown fruit and the stringent quality standards they must meet compared to overseas competitors.
SPC, the last remaining fruit processor in Australia, informed growers that the current economic conditions have shifted consumer behavior towards cheaper imported products, leading to the decision to reduce orders. Joey Wright described the situation as devastating, citing the difficulty in competing with lower priced imports. He stressed the importance of supporting Australian grown products.
Max Wright blamed supermarkets for the industry's struggles, arguing that they should prioritize Australian products. Cornish echoed this sentiment, suggesting that supermarkets have a moral obligation to support local growers by prominently featuring Australian grown fruit.
Michael Crisera, Fruit Growers Victoria services manager, criticized the lack of attention from key industry players and warned that ignoring the issue could lead to the industry's demise. A new federal code of conduct mandates fines for supermarkets proven to treat suppliers unfairly, which could help address some of these challenges.
SPC remains committed to supporting its growers and is working to minimize the impact of these changes. The company continues to engage with retailers under the food and grocery code of conduct and welcomes the introduction of a mandatory code. Woolworths and Coles, two major supermarket chains, have responded by reaffirming their support for local growers and increasing the number of Australian sourced products in their own brand ranges. Both chains highlighted their efforts to balance providing affordable options for consumers while supporting Australian agriculture.