Coles supermarkets have launched a new marketing campaign around Australia promoting low prices for domestic fresh fruit and vegetables. The Coles campaign takes advantage of a current glut in fresh produce around Australia. However the campaign also signals greater competition for the “fresh” descriptor crossing into the marketing cornerstone of its major competitor, Woolworths. Over the past decade, Woolworths has branded itself by the slogan “Woolworths – the Fresh Food people”. Hence,... ...Read more »

Australia is facing a huge glut of potatoes. Prices for potatoes for the Australian domestic market will soon drop below  farm production costs. Greengrocers and supermarkets are acquiring potatoes at bargain prices. We are constantly reminded by the Australian Government and its consultant experts that the world is running out of food. They tell us that Australia needs to produce more food for the impending famine faced by the world. Yet, we already have the scenario of many countries currently... ...Read more »

Potato growers across Australia are threatening to plough surplus potatoes back into the ground or leave them to rot in what is reported to be one of the biggest potato gluts in Australian history. Australian potato grower and Chairman of the Australian Potato Industry Advisory Committee, David Nix, has seen double the tonnage of potatoes on his farm in Atherton, Queensland, compared to last year. Mr Nix told Australian Food News today, “This year has brought a wave of excess potatoes across... ...Read more »

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 »

The ongoing oversupply of grapes and a volatile Australian dollar are exacerbating the difficulties faced by many Australian wineries, according to the annual financial benchmarking survey for the Australian wine industry – Vintage 2008 report, released today by Deloitte. In its tenth year, the Deloitte survey examines the financial performance of wineries across Australia for the 2008 financial year, and is based on the individual financial results and information provided by wineries. “The... ...Read more »

Despite total Australian wine grape production being forecast to fall by 13 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes in 2008-09, the downward pressure on prices caused by an oversupply is expected to increase, according to a new ABARE report Australian wine grape production projections to 2010-11, released today. ABARE’s acting Executive Director, Dr Terry Sheales, said that production was forecast to fall in 2008-09 because of difficult growing conditions in many regions. “Wine grape growers,... ...Read more »