Tomato exports surge

By LIAM DANN

Tomato exporters have seized a lucrative foothold in Australia with sales there up more than 250 per cent.

A combination of drought in Australia and lower prices for New Zealand tomatoes after a poor domestic season were behind the jump in sales, said VegFed tomato sector chairman Tony Ivicevich.

Most of the local crop is sold domestically, but a small window has always existed to export in late summer when Queensland gets too hot for production. This season that window stretched from November to early March.

Local growers exported nearly 1400 tonnes, compared with 400 tonnes last season. The exports' value was up 250 per cent - from $1 million to $3.5 million.

Because of shortages in Australia, prices were good and growers were keen to export more than usual, Ivicevich said.

"It was a silver lining after the poor season we had here."

Bad weather early in the season and a hot summer that benefited home growers contributed to the low domestic returns, he said.

While there had been fluctuations in export volumes in the past, the quality of New Zealand tomatoes seemed to have created a market in Australia.

He understood Australian importers were planning to take similar volumes next year.