Food production ramping up as demand surges

THE agriculture industry is reassuring Australians that farmers have the COVID-19 crisis covered and are pulling out all stops to meet sharply rising consumer demand driven by coronavirus fears.

AgForce general president Georgie Somerset said the group was working with the State and Federal Governments to urgently facilitate the declaration of the agriculture and the food supply chain as an essential service.

“We truly are the lucky country when it comes to feeding ourselves, producing three times as much food as we need,” she said.

“Australians can rest assured that our farmers are doing their bit and with recent rains are ramping up production to meet demand – although of course, this may take some time, as new crops don’t grow overnight.

“In the meantime, farmers hope our reassurances about the country’s food security will encourage people to return to their regular shopping habits, safe in the knowledge that there is more than enough for everybody.

“It is, in fact, the current sharp spike in demand that is affecting both the availability of food in shops and the higher-than-normal prices, especially for fresh produce.”

Mrs Somerset said AgForce was working closely with the Queensland Government and, through the National Farmers’ Federation, the Commonwealth Government to have agriculture and the rest of the food chain, including transport, recognised as an essential service.

“Clearly, access to a sure and affordable supply of fresh food is essential to maintaining community health and cohesion,” she said.