Cyclone Debbie’s devastation will cost you at the shops

As the evaluation and cleanup of the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie continues in Queensland’s far north, experts are already claiming that damage done to some farming areas will cost you more at the shops.

The Bowen area of Queensland provides 95 per cent of Australia’s supply of tomatoes and capsicums in the winter months and the cyclone damage could push the prince sky high as supply will be low.

Queensland Farmers Federation project manager Ross Henry told The Sydney Morning Herald, “The Bowen region is quite pivotal for Australia’s production of tomatoes and capsicum at this time of year, so there’s going to be some shortages”. Mr Henry added, “We’re definitely likely to see price rises.”

The country’s largest supermarkets have stated that they don’t know if the prices will rise but will work with farmers and the community affected by the storm to ensure recovery.

Mangos are another big export from the region, however, the winter supply of the fruit was already harvested before the storm. Many experts are claiming that the run on tomatoes and capsicum could be similar to the banana issues following Cyclone Yasi in 2011.

How do you think the supermarkets and the government could support the farmers without passing the price burden to you?