Commissioner backs growers on sector-wide issues
By Charles Burke, Food Farmers’ Commissioner Queensland
Since commencing as Food Farmers’ Commissioner late last year, I’ve travelled across Queensland, listening to farmers in regions like Atherton, Bundaberg, Mareeba, Bowen, and Fassifern Valleys, the Scenic Rim and the Granite Belt.
I’ve met with industry groups and producers across all horticulture commodities and regions, listening to their concerns.
What’s become clear is that producers are facing unprecedented challenges, including:
unclear supply arrangements and agreements
price manipulation
overlapping compliance burdens
uncertainty around nonbinding forecasts and payment terms.
From navigating retailer demands to resolving disputes with agents and marketers, these systemic issues are putting immense strain on producers across Queensland.
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), costs of fuel, fertiliser, and chemicals, to name a few, have increased by over 100 per cent in the past five years.
Yet, while farmers absorb these costs, prices at the farm gate have remained largely unchanged. In some cases, they have fallen.
AUSVEG Sentiment Reports reveal that 71 per cent of growers are delaying much-needed infrastructure upgrades, while 50 per cent of growers say they are worse off financially than six months ago.
Farmers across Queensland are experiencing many of the same struggles, and for some, knowing they’re not alone has brought a sense of validation.
These conversations are not just about identifying common issues and concerns; they are the first step toward finding practical and meaningful solutions.
If you’re a farmer experiencing these or similar issues, I encourage you to reach out.
You can contact me directly on 0448 661 305, or by email at Charles.Burke@offcq.qld.gov.au
We’ve also set up a new website featuring an anonymous portal where you can share evidence or make enquiries securely. Find us at www.offcq.qld.gov.au
Our producers are at the heart of Queensland’s economy, and a fairer system that includes price transparency will help them continue doing what they do best — growing the quality fresh food we have come to rely on.
