Tomatoes for $9 A KILO? Winter vegetable prices skyrocket with the fallout of Cyclone Debbie STILL affecting growers two months after the storm

  • Produce prices are high as farmers continue to recover from Cyclone Debbie
  • Tomatoes, capsicums and beans are being sold for $8-$10 a kilo 
  • Bowen region in Queensland produces a large number of the country's produce
  • They lost almost 20 per cent of their total crops earlier this year 

By MATILDA RUDD FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

The effects of Cyclone Debbie continue as winter fruit and vegetable prices soar to four times the regular price.

The devastating cyclone, which hit Queensland in March this year, is the reason produce like tomatoes, capsicums and beans are being sold for $8-$10 a kilo.

At the time farmers in the Bowen area were hit particularly hard and they supply much of Sydney, Melbourne and eastern Australia their vegetables.  

The devastating cyclone, which hit Queensland in March this year, is the reason produce like tomatoes, capsicums and beans are being sold for $8-$10 a kilo

The devastating cyclone, which hit Queensland in March this year, is the reason produce like tomatoes, capsicums and beans are being sold for $8-$10 a kilo

The Queensland Farmers' Federation estimated the damage was at more than $100 million and winter crop losses at 20 per cent

The Queensland Farmers' Federation estimated the damage was at more than $100 million and winter crop losses at 20 per cent

The Queensland Farmers' Federation estimated the damage was at more than $100 million and winter crop losses at 20 per cent.

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association president Carl Walker said he could understand the higher prices because of Cyclone Debbie, but the higher charges weren't being passed on to the growers.

'The market price doesn't reflect the shelf price, which is frustrating for growers. What we're seeing at the moment is a period of crossover where our produce is beginning to move on to the shelves. You can blame Debbie for the high prices,' he told the Courier Mail.  

In 2011 the Bowen area produced 22 percent of Australia's fresh beans, 46 per cent of capsicum and 23 per cent of tomatoes, making it the country’s largest producer of beans and capsicums, and number two in fresh tomatoes
In 2011 the Bowen area produced 22 percent of Australia's fresh beans, 46 per cent of capsicum and 23 per cent of tomatoes, making it the country’s largest producer of beans and capsicums, and number two in fresh tomatoes

In 2011 the Bowen area produced 22 percent of Australia's fresh beans, 46 per cent of capsicum and 23 per cent of tomatoes, making it the country’s largest producer of beans and capsicums, and number two in fresh tomatoes

In 2011 the Bowen area produced 22 percent of Australia's fresh beans, 46 per cent of capsicum and 23 per cent of tomatoes, making it the country’s largest producer of beans and capsicums, and number two in fresh tomatoes.

The region also produces a huge amount of chillies, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, pumpkin, zucchini and squash and is a key production area for mangoes and melons.

But Mr Walker said that despite the current dire situation prices should stabilise by next month. 

But Mr Walker said that despite the current dire situation prices should stabilise by next month

But Mr Walker said that despite the current dire situation prices should stabilise by next month

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