Wimmera grocers are bucking the trend as the cost of fruit is expected to increase nationwide due to a lack of seasonal harvest workers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Peaches Fruit Market in Horsham said they have not yet felt the effects of a lack of fruit pickers.
"Sometimes, in the summertime things go up a little bit but that's a seasonal thing and not a COVID issue," a spokeswoman said.
"We haven't noticed anything during COVID restrictions out of the ordinary, everything has been good here."
READ MORE:
A potential shortfall in seasonal horticulture workers due to COVID travel restrictions has raised concerns that consumers will be hit with increased fruit and vegetable prices, as supply and demand affects prices.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences predicts the price of summer vegetables, stone fruit, table grapes, pears and apples will rise by 15 to 25 per cent this year.
Stawell fruit and vegetable mini market operator, Ben Rayner, said he is aware of farmers having issues, but it has not affected his supply and prices.
"We generally buy local as often as possible, which is all run from their own farms," Mr Rayner said.
"I don't deal with a lot of these big farms directly, I have an agent who sources it all out of the market for me, so to be honest I've felt no impact at all."
A report from consultancy firm Ernst & Young earlier this year highlighted the impact of border closures on the horticulture sector, estimating that the industry would need an additional 26,000 harvest workers to pick crops this summer.
Did you know you can receive updates straight to your inbox? To make sure you're up-to-date with news from across the region, sign up below.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to the Wimmera Mail-Times, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling the Wimmera's story. We appreciate your support of local journalism.