Business · Energy & Commodities · 14 hrs ago
Brisbane banana demand lifts sales for Queensland grower
Strong banana demand in Brisbane has driven record sales for Nick Baddiley of Queensland grower Arcella Bananas.
He says weekly sales have risen from about 7,000 boxes to just under 13,000.
A 15-kilogram box is selling for about $48, with prices possibly reaching $54 as weather and seasonal patterns tighten supply.
Baddiley expects the shortage to last about three weeks, after which supply should improve.
He says growers face production costs of about $30 a box and argues that supermarket prices can leave farms struggling to earn enough.
Baddiley opposes importing bananas, citing the livelihoods that depend on Australian farms and the risk of spreading Panama disease, including the TR4 strain.
Strong banana demand in Brisbane has helped Queensland grower Nick Baddiley record the best sales stretch his business has had.
Baddiley says he has broken sales records for about six weeks or longer.
Weekly sales volume has risen from about 7,000 boxes to just under 13,000.
A temporary supply shortage has helped keep prices firm, with a 15-kilogram box selling for around $48.
Baddiley says higher costs and supermarket practices put pressure on growers, and he opposes importing bananas because of risks to Australia’s industry and biosecurity.
- Who
- Nick Baddiley of Arcella Bananas.
- What
- Strong demand in Brisbane has lifted sales to record levels. Weekly volume has risen to just under 13,000 boxes.
- When
- The record sales stretch has lasted about six weeks or longer.
- Where
- Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Why
- Baddiley says strong demand and customer deals helped increase sales; a temporary supply squeeze has also supported prices.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Baddiley worked on deals and arrangements with customers.
Baddiley says the business began breaking sales records back-to-back.
Weekly volume was just under 13,000 boxes, up from about 7,000.
Baddiley expected the tight supply to ease and fruit availability to pick up.
- Grower
- Nick Baddiley, Arcella Bananas
- Market
- Brisbane, Queensland
- Weekly volume
- From about 7,000 to just under 13,000 boxes
- Current price
- Around $48 per 15 kg box
- Possible next price
- Up to $54 per 15 kg box
- Expected supply squeeze
- About three weeks
What people are saying
I've been breaking record sales back-to-back, probably the last six weeks or longer
Sales-wise, we went from maybe 7,000 boxes a week, and now I'm doing just shy of 13,000
It's definitely a big no
Once that's in there, it's game over; you just lose everything, you can't stop it