May, 2021 | Australian Banana Growers

Cyclonic storm decimates bananas in the Cassowary Coast

Growers in the Cassowary Coast are facing a long road to recovery after suffering catastrophic damage from a recent cyclonic storm. It could take some up to 12 months to return to full production and is another blow after battling ongoing worker shortages due to…

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New industry lead in future management of TR4

A new Industry Transition Leader has commenced building a framework for the future management of Panama TR4. Geoff Wilson was recently appointed to forge a pathway for industry to continue the control and containment of Panama TR4 beyond 2023. He joins the Australian Banana Growers’ Council…

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ABGC thanks Jade Buchanan for service

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council has farewelled Director Jade Buchanan, who has stepped down after more than three years of service to the Board. During that time, Ms Buchanan has been a valued member of the board, representing the interests of growers and contributing additional time…

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WA banana bonanza

In February this year, Western Australia’s Sweeter Banana Cooperative put out a simple call to action: buy all the local bananas you can. Perfect tropical conditions and a COVID-19 lockdown in Perth (coming right at the end of the summer school holidays) had led to…

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Increasing spread of TR4

While there have been just five commercial banana farms confirmed with Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4) since March 2015, the disease continues to spread in the Tully Valley. The number of plants confirmed with TR4, and the number of sites where these plants have been…

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The wait for workers continues

For more than twelve months now, banana growers have been dealing with a new workforce reality involving significantly less employees and an uncertain future. In fact, the arrival of COVID-19 put unprecedented pressure on almost all Australian agri-businesses, as regular labour options ceased with the closure…

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Chair Column – April 2021

Stephen Lowe, Chair At the end of 2020, I think most growers had high hopes that 2021 would somehow wave a magic wand and bring with it some positive prosperity, to counteract a year we’d all rather forget. After a tumultuous 12 months that included a pandemic,…