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The dried fruit debate - regional saviour or backwards step?

Renmark dried fruit grower Phil Sims believes growers have been left out to dry, despite industry bodies suggesting otherwise. Photo: JANE WILSON
Posted by Brad Perry in Food & Wine on 05 Aug 2010 at 10:09 am

By BRAD PERRY DRIED fruit lobbyists are calling for more local growers to invest in the industry but some locals believe fruit prices must be raised before the industry can attract more growers. The South Australian Dried Tree Fruits Association is calling on Riverland growers to consider entering the industry as it struggles to keep up with supply and demand. However, Renmark dried tree fruit grower of more than half a century, Phil Sims told the Riverland Weekly prices for fruit are too low. “The prices should have been up miles more than they have been,” he said. “The growers are being screwed. “If you look around at the number of (dried tree fruit) growers who took the (exit) package...they sold their water rights because there was not enough money in it being paid.” Mr Sims, who has been a member on several of the country’s prominent dried fruit boards and was most recently chair of the Riverland Development Corporation, said recent wage rises for pickers have also hindered industry development. Growing ‘fruit salad’, Mr Sims said he stopped selling his dried fruit to Angas Park because he believed he was not getting a fair price. “All in all, the dried fruit packers have got a lot to answer for,” he said. “If they want the industry to keep going they have got ...
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