The Nationals are demanding Labor stop its attack on Australian farmers, amid growing concerns that the Albanese Labor Government is putting the pineapple industry at risk.
In the lead-up to Queensland’s Pinefest in Yeppoon this week, The Nationals will send Labor Members of Parliament not just one fresh pineapple juice to enjoy, but also a letter asking them to sign The Nationals’ petition: Stop Labor’s foreign pineapple plan.
Leader of The Nationals Matt Canavan said farmers were worried that Labor could soon allow new pineapple imports from India and Indonesia, potentially allowing exotic pests, unfair competition and a potential biosecurity outbreak.
“The Nationals support fair trade but fair trade must be safe trade,” Senator Canavan said.
“Imports should not be approved until the science has been independently tested, strict biosecurity conditions are clear and Australian growers are protected.
“That’s why The Nationals are launching a petition to back Australian farmers. We have the best pineapples in the world – which Labor Members of Parliament can taste for themselves this week. That’s why we must protect our pineapple industry.”
Consultation following the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry draft report, Decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia: biosecurity import requirements, has now closed.
The draft report determined that the importation of fresh decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia can be permitted, provided they meet the biosecurity import conditions and all imports must come from commercial production areas of India and Indonesia.
Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said Pineapple Growers Association Australia had identified mealy bugs, scale insects and thrips overseas.
“Australia’s pineapple industry is overwhelmingly dependent on the domestic market, with only about eight tonnes of fresh or dried pineapple exported in 2024,” Ms Landry said.
“Growers in Capricornia have told me, they have no meaningful alternative market if additional imports displace Australian fruit or reduce domestic prices.
Even modest import volumes could have a commercial effect if they arrive during peak Queensland production, particularly when growers are already facing rising input, labour and freight costs.”
Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers CEO Scott Kompo-Harms said the potential consequences extended beyond the introduction of an exotic pest, with a serious incursion capable of affecting production, increasing business costs and placing pressure on the viability of Australia’s pineapple industry.
“Biosecurity is fundamental to the future of Australian pineapple production. If a serious pest establishes here, the costs of managing it could be significant, and the consequences could extend across the industry,” Mr Kompo-Harms said.
“For a relatively small industry, an incursion could have a substantial impact on production and profitability, with flow-on effects for the businesses and jobs supported by Australian pineapple growing and processing.”
Bungundarra- based Brooks and sons Pineapple Farm owner Barry Brooks said there is a need for accurate monitoring of all produce imported.
“Most produce overseas isn’t grown to our standards,” Mr Brooks said.
“Product from overseas has no liability passed on, but with Australian produce, the liability stays with the grower.”
Tropico Executive Manager Melvin Warren said Tropico Fruits, an Australian fruit processor, has seen its customer report retailer pressure for Australian food manufacturers to move to cheaper imported ingredients.
“If the Government now allows high‑risk pineapple varieties into Australia, it becomes a double hit to our industry,” Mr Warren said.
“We face commercial displacement on one side and biosecurity threats on the other. Once imported fruit enters the supply chain, it’s incredibly difficult for Australian growers and processors to maintain volume, protect jobs and keep Australian fruit in Australian products.”
Fraser Coast pineapple grower Colin Hawken said the proposed imports could be the final blow for Australia’s iconic pineapple industry.
“This could very well be the last straw for our iconic Australian pineapple industry,” Mr Hawken said.
“Our industry has already shrunk to around a third of its former size, largely due to the devastating impact of imported canned pineapple.
“Australian pineapple farms are predominantly family-owned businesses, competing against enormous overseas corporate operations with vastly different production costs and regulatory requirements.
“We are proud to live and farm in a country with strict environmental protections, land-clearing regulations, workplace health and safety standards, labour laws and food safety requirements.
“But where is the fairness in expecting Australian growers to meet these standards while potentially allowing imported fruit produced under very different conditions to compete directly with us?”
Sunshine Coast pineapple grower William Oakes said farmers just wanted to make sure that all threats to Australia’s biosecurity are carefully considered, that any proposed importation pathway will be strictly monitored and that all conditions on imports are practically achievable on a farm, not just in the laboratory.
“If any of these pests get in, it will devastate our local industry,” Mr Oakes said.
