The volume, quality and price of Australia’s mandarin exports are unlikely to be affected by recent heavy flooding in Queensland, according to industry sources.
CEO of Citrus Australia, Judith Damiani, said while areas such as Munduberra and Gayndah in the Central Burnett region had suffered heavy flooding, there had not been reports of widespread crop damage.
“The latest estimate is 50 per cent of all orchards in the Central Burnet and Bundaberg regions have been flooded,’’ Damiani said on Friday.
“These areas are where 60 per cent of the country’s mandarin’s are grown but with flooding subsiding most growers still have good quality mandarins available.
“A very early estimate is 10 per cent crop loss.”
Allen Jenkin of Munduberra grower-packer-marketer Ironbark Citrus, estimates half of his orchard was submerged during the floods, with the full extent of the damage yet to be determined.
However, what’s shaping up as an above average yield has Jenkin at ease about meeting production targets.
“It’s an on year,” Jenkin said.
“The fruit’s pretty advanced and should be ready for harvest by the start of the season.
Jenkin said repairing infrastructure was the biggest problem he and his neighboring growers faced.
“Ironically we are buying a generator so we can begin irrigation next week,” he said.
“With the crop, there has been limited damage so it’s business as usual.
“Our biggest problem is the debris the flood brings and the damage done to things like pumps and packing sheds.’’
It was a sentiment shared by the chair of Citrus Australia’s Queensland regional advisory committee Michael McMahon.
“We need power, we need phones, and we need roads,” McMahon said. 'Financial assistance for repairs and an immediate focus on infrastructure would be the most effective way to help many growers right now.”
With the commencement of Australia’s mandarin season two months away, Damiani was confident there is enough time to rebuild.
“The mandarin season starts in late March, when the Imperials start hitting the shelf, so it gives growers plenty of time to get back on track. A lot of the growers are saying they can see their income in front of them but they can’t get to it.”
Australian retailer Woolworths has shown its support for citrus growers hit by the floods, declaring it will not import fruit to fill any resulting supply gaps.
The bulk of this year’s lemon crop is ready to harvest, but may be slightly delayed due to the flooding.
