Media Releases
Barbera Farms placed in receivership
Release Date: April 12, 2011
Tuesday 12 April 2011 - for immediate release
The Adelaide Produce Market is saddened by the news that a leading grower in Queensland has been placed in receivership and up to 800 local jobs are now in jeopardy.
Barbera Farms was placed in receivership on Monday, with large debt levels believed to have played an important part. The company has been operating for 30 years and produces around 50 million tonnes of fresh tomato, zucchini and capsicum each year.
However the Adelaide Produce Market believes any impact will be minor and temporary.
"Local supply will be right for now as South Australia produces 70% of its tomato, capsicum and zucchini requirements for this time of year", Adelaide Produce Market spokespoerson Julian Carbone said.
"Looking ahead, these vegetables lines have a relatively short growing time frame, which means even though we will be dependent on Queensland to supply these vegetable lines in winter, other growers will now have the opportunity to increase their production to reach our normal supply levels", Mr Carbone said.
"Zucchini for example takes only six weeks to grow, so we are optimistic that other growers will be able to ramp up their production to fill the void left by Barbera Farms", Mr Carbone said.
"This really goes to show how any farmer in Australia is vulnerable at the moment", Mr Carbone said.
Media enquiries:
Julian Carbone - (08) 8349 4493, 0408 877 797
