June's horticulture market update

Highlights for horticulture

• Supply chain issues continue to ease aiding fruit and vegetable availability throughout May and into June. While Queensland regions have seen some cooler weather limit late autumn output, we are anticipating that improved volumes throughout June will place greater pressure on vegetable prices. Fruit prices are also well down from their highs seen earlier this year. However, tomato prices across the country remain elevated, with shortages in South Australia pushing prices to near record levels. The Australian National Management Group have now agreed that it is no longer technically feasible to eradicate tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Mandatory crop destruction and quarantine efforts have driven a shortage of tomatoes within South Australia. Shortages have been further exacerbated by the slowing of the SA growing season and delay to the start of the Queensland season. We should see record prices ease throughout June and July as supply out of the northern states picks up.
• As cost-of-living pressures ease, both domestic and export demand continues to lift in 2025. The fruit sector has recorded the strongest growth in consumption for both a value and volume level over the first quarter of 2025. While the data remains slightly delayed, we anticipate a further pick up in buying throughout the winter months as supply improves, and inflationary pressures continue to ease.

Source: Bendigo Bank Agricultural Analyst, Aus Market Consultants

Sean Hickey

Senior Agricultural Analyst

Sean is our Insights specialist for the horticulture sector, utilising both his time spent within the industry alongside a Bachelor of Commerce to produce informed market analysis and commentary.