It has never been more difficult for Australian exporters to send their fresh produce overseas, according to the country’s Horticultural Exporters Association.
The HEC reported this week that the value of horticulture exports has fallen by A$230 million (£92.3m), or 30 per cent, since 2003.
Deputy chair David Minnis blames tougher quarantine protocols imposed by destination markets. "Just about any fruit that's host for fruit fly - so mangoes, table grapes, stonefruit, cherries, apples, pears, citrus - all of these fruits have restrictions put on their movement into a whole range of countries," he said.
"Not only are they tough, but they're costly."
