Media Releases
First shipments of post-Cyclone Yasi bananas
Release Date: August 12, 2011
The Adelaide Produce Market has received its first shipment of post-Cyclone Yasi bananas, with wholesale prices for premium stock going down by as much as 15% as supply shows its first sign of returning to normal levels.
In February, Cyclone Yasi caused havoc in Far North Queensland, a region responsible for around 90% of Australia’s banana production and subsequently has caused a drastic shortage of bananas over the past six months. However this week banana supply increased and wholesale prices reduced for the first time.
“Some banana growers in Far North Queensland were able to trim back their banana trees in an attempt to reduce the impact of Cyclone Yasi. Luckily this preventative measure was successful and the trees were able to be saved”, Adelaide Produce Market spokesperson Julian Carbone said.
“Crop from these plantations have now matured and are now starting to enter the market system. With increasing supply, prices have started to fall for the first time since the cyclone hit”, Mr Carbone said.
The drastic shortage of bananas has proven to cause difficult and challenging times for businesses located at the Adelaide Produce Market, with banana merchants collectively employing around 100 people.
Supply will continue to increase over the next few months.
