As prices for bananas begin to return to normal levels in Australia, Baskin-Robbins is providing another way for Aussies to get their banana fix: the brand has launched a new banana flavour ice cream. Baskin-Robbins said the new flavour was developed specifically for the Australian market and was introduced after Baskin-Robbins franchisees reported a high level of requests for banana ice cream. A major portion of the Australian banana crop was wiped out by Cyclone Yasi in February 2011. While the... ...Read more »

With retail prices soaring, new research suggests Australians are likely to eat less fruit and vegetables in coming months, as fresh produce feels the impact of the floods and Cyclone Yasi. The banana and broccoli industries have been particularly badly hit with supply shortages and quality problems, rendering Australia’s favourite fruit and the popular vegetable particularly vulnerable. The Nielsen Company surveyed over 1500 consumers online about their buying behaviour following the natural... ...Read more »

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig that Australia will not relax food quarantine arrangements in response to Cyclone Yasi. Banana growers across Far North Queensland, in particular Innisfail and Tully, have been the worst affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasi, which makes the second devastating weather event in the area in less than five years. ABGC President Cameron MacKay said the industry... ...Read more »

The Australian Banana Grower’s Council today warned consumers that the Australian banana industry, which escaped flood damage, had suffered devastation as a result of tropical cyclone Yasi. Banana growers across Far North Queensland, in particular Innisfail and Tully, have been the worst affected by the cyclone, according to ABGC Chairman Cameron MacKay. MacKay said the industry had taken a significant battering with 95% of major production affected in the Tully and Innisfail region, approximately... ...Read more »

Despite the wet weather in Queensland, there is still an abundant supply of bananas and growers are continuing to send fruit to market, according to the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC). ABGC CEO Jonathan Eccles said bananas have been relatively unaffected by the recent weather across Queensland. “With a continued plentiful supply there should be no excuse to increase retail prices,” Eccles said. “As one of the nation’s top selling fruit, it seems there is considerable confusion... ...Read more »

With the Fairtrade Fortnight approaching this coming May, Australians have a real opportunity to boost the Fairtrade movement in Australia. However, Datamonitor research has determined that it will require a concerted effort from consumers and industry players alike to bring Fairtrade into the mainstream. Fairtrade Fortnight will take place in Australia and New Zealand from 1-16 May, 2010 and the ‘Big Swap’ campaign, organized by the Fairtrade Association, challenges consumers to swap as... ...Read more »

The first harvest of genetically modified bananas planted in Australia, in the South Johnstone area south of Cairns, has been picked. The bananas are part of a project by Queensland University of Technology to improve the nutritional content of bananas, as a way of combating malnutrition in Africa, particularly in Uganda, where bananas are a staple food and very low in nutrients. Initial results of the harvest show promise.  Professor James Dale, head of the project at QUT’s Centre for Tropical... ...Read more »

Tropical produce importers Fyffes have withdrawn their nomination for the Fruit Logistica Innovation award after Australian Eco Bananas asserted trademark rights to the claimed innovation. Fyffes of Germany were one of 10 companies who nominated for the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA) 2010 to be presented in Berlin (3 – 5 February 2010) in recognition of outstanding innovation in products and services. The competition is open to all companies exhibiting at FRUIT LOGISTICA and FRESHCONEX... ...Read more »

Every year millions of edible Queensland bananas become fertiliser as they don’t meet retail standards by being either too straight, too small or discoloured. However, this may soon be a thing of the past as Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF) is working with CSIRO to find ways of using these “reject” bananas for innovative, processed products. Acting Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, Peter Lawlor, said Queenslanders are... ...Read more »

Federal Trade Minister Simon Crean has welcomed a breakthrough deal on banana imports into the European Union ending a dispute that has been running for 16 years.Mr Crean also welcomed a related agreement to provide deeper tariff cuts on the importation of tropical products into Europe, and other markets, which will benefit Australian exporters once the Doha Round is concluded. The minister said the deals on bananas and tropical products would generate much needed momentum towards concluding the... ...Read more »