Spring storms wreak havoc on South Australian veg growers
Latest estimates show up to $150 million damage was caused as 1500ha of vegetable farms were submerged under water in the Northern Adelaide Plains, after the Gawler River burst its banks following wild weather last week.
However, growers warn the full extent of the damage will remain unknown for days.
SA Produce Market marketing and business development manager Nadia Schutt said initial damage estimates reached $30 to $50 million but were likely to rise substantially.
Angelo Demasi from the South Australian Produce Market said recovery from the freak weather event was expected to take at least six months “with many challenges surrounding seed volumes to resew crops, management for surviving crops, weed and insect damage as well as widespread infrastructure damage”.
South Australian Produce Market, in partnership with Foodbank SA, the Horticultural Coalition of SA and AusVeg SA, are running a sector-wide industry appeal through Foodbank’s charitable entity and website to help affected growers.
Read more at Adelaide Now