Australia’s $4 billion illicit tobacco trade fuels a violent criminal market
Authorities stress the $4 billion figure is conservative, as it does not include illegal vapes and e-cigarettes. ⌘ Read more

Spud King expands empire with $14m orchard deal
WA’s “Spud King” Tony Galati has expanded his empire with a $14 million bid to purchase two South West orchards which will see his business move into apples and avocados. ⌘ Read more

Flower likened to ‘cancer’ for environment still sold at nurseries
The colourful flowers of gazanias might attract you to buy them at a nursery but it is worth considering whether you are getting an invasive weed causing havoc to our landscapes. ⌘ Read more

‘Near black’ flowers that bloom just in time for Halloween
While red roses have their moment on Valentine’s Day, these “black suited” irises come into bloom close to Halloween. ⌘ Read more

Event gives access to small wineries in Tasmania
The owners of around forty vineyards in the south of the state are hoping the weather holds out for the next few days as they prepare to open the gates for the annual Spring in the Vines. ⌘ Read more

GM bananas could soon be for sale in Australia, but will people eat them?
Australia’s first genetically modified banana has been tweaked to protect it from a disease that’s on the verge of wiping out crops around the world. Researchers hope it may be on our shelves by 2027. ⌘ Read more

Father-son team’s hand-picked citrus blossoms brighten cocktails
Farmers and distillers collaborate to capture a delicate flower’s flavour for the boutique drinks market. ⌘ Read more

More Australian-grown coffee on the horizon amid local bean boom
The Australian coffee industry is growing as new varieties become available and local demand increases. ⌘ Read more

Flower growers want imported blooms to carry country-of-origin labels
About half of Australia’s cut flowers are imported, but there is no requirement to add a label informing consumers of their origin. ⌘ Read more

Strawberries hard to come by as weather extremes affect supply
Queensland strawberry growers are finishing their season early due to hot weather, while cold temperatures have delayed ripening in the south. ⌘ Read more

Australian wine labels feeling the pinch as Chinese buy and drink less
Cheaper bulk wine has been struggling in the market, but now even prestigious labels like Penfolds are feeling the pinch off the back of changing drinking habits and a reported crackdown on lavish banquets for civil servants. ⌘ Read more

Cumquat may, these farmers are enjoying ‘anti-retirement’
When Roslyn and Pat McCarthy readied themselves to leave their careers, they were uninspired by spending their “twilight” years on golf courses or bowling greens. Instead, they put their faith in cumquats. ⌘ Read more

Banana industry opposes overseas imports of Australia’s most popular fruit
The federal government will review its quarantine rules after a formal request by the Philippines to import its bananas, but the industry is pushing back. ⌘ Read more

Relief for fruit producers as SA declared free from brown rugose virus
More than a year since South Australia’s $230 million tomato and capsicum sector was plunged into turmoil by the first discovery of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus in Australia, the state has been declared free of the exotic disease. ⌘ Read more

Customers face empty shelves as farmers battle potato shortage
South Australia produces 80 per cent of Australia’s fresh potatoes, but extreme weather and drought across the state are causing a major shortage. ⌘ Read more

Winery sells country’s first drop in an aluminium bottle to cut emissions
A Victorian company releases Australia’s first aluminium wine bottles to reduce its carbon footprint, while acknowledging drinkers may take some convincing. ⌘ Read more

Winemaking music lover to focus on health after blood cancer diagnosis
WA vigneron Rob Wignall, who built a legacy of award-winning Great Southern wines and star-studded music festivals, says it is time to move on. ⌘ Read more

Brisbane roastery wins gold at national coffee competition
Coffee Mentality founder Ian Abadiano spills the beans on what it takes to stand out in Australia’s competitive coffee industry. ⌘ Read more

Outback gardeners share the joys of turning dust to daisies
Flower farmer Suzanne Stanton says generations of outback women have taken comfort in their gardens, proof that life can survive in the harshest of climates. ⌘ Read more

Agritourism expansion leaves NSW winery facing $150,000 land tax bill
Revenue NSW hits a Mudgee winery with a $150,000 land tax, despite the property being exempt for almost 50 years. ⌘ Read more

Wineries and distillers not happy about recycling scheme expansion
Producers in Western Australia’s premier wine region say the state government’s expanded bottle recycling scheme is set to cost them millions of dollars. ⌘ Read more

World wine award for Tasmania
A wine from the Coal River Valley has been named the Best White Wine in the world at the International Wine Challenge held in London. ⌘ Read more

Winemaker shares devastation after lithium battery fire guts warehouse
A long-time winemaker says he opened his door to explosions and a black ball of smoke as a fire caused by a cordless screwdriver destroyed a lifetime collection of tools and machinery. ⌘ Read more

Pandemic distance did not stop father and son starting wine label
When pandemic border closures separated a father and son, they launched a wine label together. Now they are back in the same state and working closely together. ⌘ Read more

School pivots to teach large-scale veg production for changing climate
Home Hill State School in north Queensland is showing students across Burdekin shire how agricultural education is worth investing in, setting up an industry-scale greenhouse for horticulture training. ⌘ Read more

Vegetable growing awards
A north west Vegetable growing family has taken out the major award and a second award at the annual Harvest Moon Presentation. ⌘ Read more

Tomato growers back in business after catastrophic virus outbreak
After 12 months without income, three SA tomato growing businesses hit by an exotic virus have been given the green light to resume trading. ⌘ Read more

Aussie apple exports to Canada easier as restrictions relaxed
Australia apple growers will have easier access to the Canadian export market following trade negotiations between the nations. ⌘ Read more

ACCC accuses four Aldi vegetable suppliers of fixing prices
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission accuses growers of forming a cartel to fix prices of vegetables supplied to Aldi in three states. ⌘ Read more

Grounds from your morning coffee are helping to reduce emissions
Melbourne’s love affair with coffee is causing thousands of tonnes of ground coffee waste — leading to methane emissions. One social enterprise is tackling this, combining it with animal waste — another large emitter — to improve sustainability. ⌘ Read more

Veggies and herbs you can easily grow from seeds
Growing edible plants from seeds can be cheaper than buying seedlings. Here are some of the easiest varieties to grow — plus thrifty ways to find them. ⌘ Read more

Small vineyard with a major trophy
Surprise trophy win for small Tasmanian vineyard ⌘ Read more

For the first time, Americans will experience this homegrown WA apple
A homegrown West Australian apple makes its debut in American supermarkets, with the first shipment to China due to leave next year. ⌘ Read more

Barossa mirco-winery, Ballycroft, powered by a second-hand EV
A micro-winery in the Barossa Valley has achieved a world first in their efforts to keep the vineyard eco-friendly. ⌘ Read more

Adelaide leads the charge to replace single-use fruit stickers
A Riverland citrus grower has started using laser printing on fruit eliminating the need for traditional stickers. ⌘ Read more

Illicit tobacco crop worth $4.4m discovered near Shepparton after tip-off
Authorities seize a 20-tonne crop of mature tobacco being grown on 2.4 hectares, an area equivalent to more than 450 tennis courts, in Victoria’s north. ⌘ Read more

Coffee prices up to $12 needed to make industry viable, supplier says
US tariffs and supply issues are creating uncertainty for an already strained coffee market, and roasters say it’s only a matter of time before Australians will pay more for their brew. ⌘ Read more

Queensland College of Wine Tourism rescued from closure
Business leaders will work to ensure the Queensland College of Wine Tourism will thrive after months of uncertainty about its future. ⌘ Read more

Wine giant’s shock closure of Banrock Station end of a ‘fantastic marriage’
A global wine giant will close two well-known cellar doors in South Australia’s key wine regions, creating uncertainty for staff. ⌘ Read more

Can Australian coffee beans compete in an international roast?
Farmers are teaming up with roasters and scientists to perfect the Australian coffee bean. ⌘ Read more

First ever vintage at new Tasmanian winery
Tasmania’s newest winemaking operation has passed its first test, processing its first ever vintage. ⌘ Read more

Citrus producers hopeful for bumper harvest after tough seasons
Citrus growers are looking forward to a bountiful season in 2025, with hopes it could even become a record-breaking export year. ⌘ Read more

Migrant families transform tiny valley into Italian wine hub
Victoria’s King Valley, once home to post-war Italian tobacco farmers, is earning global recognition for its climate-resilient Italian grape varieties. ⌘ Read more

WA prides itself on resources and agriculture, but what role can the humble apple play?
The success of a unique variety of West Australian apple that in three years has become the state’s biggest apple export, could pave the way for further varieties to hit supermarket shelves. ⌘ Read more

Why your next favourite mango might take 25 years to grow
Scientists in Queensland are striving to breed the perfect Aussie mango by combining decades of genetic research with sensory science, selecting for flavour, aroma, texture, and disease resistance. ⌘ Read more

600 per cent fruit fly rise feared as pest program runs out of cash
Kids at a small country school in Victoria’s fruit bowl watch their iconic fruit fly warning sign come down — just as government funding to fight the pest runs out. ⌘ Read more

End of an era: Tropiculture Australia closes down
One of the Northern Territory’s biggest and most loved commercial nurseries has closed down. ⌘ Read more

Fifty years of poppy growing in Tasmania
The push for pharmaceuticals to combat diabetes and weight loss is leading to a revival of the poppy industry in Tasmania. ⌘ Read more

Thousands of everlasting daisies turn farm into social media hotspot
A decision to plant a trial crop of the flowers 20 years ago has transformed the Egerton-Warburton family farm into a haven for creatives and curious visitors. ⌘ Read more

Date variety discovered by outback horticulturalist now grown globally
Mitakoodi man Glen Oliver has nurtured a huge variety of plant species over the years, but the highlight of his career in horticulture has been discovering a new date palm. ⌘ Read more

The Barossa Valley is being pushed in many different directions – but where will it end up?
The need for development in the region is clear, but the Barossa Valley’s major stakeholders disagree about the way it needs to be done. ⌘ Read more

Australian wine exports on the slide as world drinks less
Australian wine began flowing back into China last year after tariffs were removed, but the country’s wine exports more broadly are declining significantly. ⌘ Read more

Apples grown on Aussie mainland to be exported to China for first time
An agreement being reached on fruit fly protocols means apples from the Australian mainland can now be exported to China. ⌘ Read more

Australia’s wine roots run a lot deeper than you think
Once almost lost, these fragile old vines are now the focus of DNA testing and efforts to preserve Australia’s oldest vineyards. ⌘ Read more

Bunnings strikes deal addressing concerns of ‘terrified’ plant growers
Bunnings plant suppliers will now have written agreements under a new statement of principles designed to protect growers, following complaints about the hardware giant during last year’s supermarket inquiry. ⌘ Read more

Harvest time is family and friends time
Family and friends help out with harvest ⌘ Read more

Agri tourism on the go at one Coal River Valley Vineyard
Let’s head to the Coal River valley where a new vineyard operation is pushing forward with an agritourism venture after recently opening a cellar door ⌘ Read more

From $30 parmigianas to $15 pints, can Australia still afford the pub?
From our coffee addiction to a weekend pub tradition, some of the simple pleasures many Australians have taken for granted now feel like luxuries. But if patrons can no longer afford to visit the pubs and cafés we love, there may be something bigger at stake. ⌘ Read more

How a world-famous apple first sprouted in a Sydney grandma’s backyard
Thanks to a “chance seedling in Granny Smith’s backyard”, we now have the Granny Smith apple as one of Australia’s predominant varieties, with an annual festival held in her honour. ⌘ Read more

Shocking scale of avocado waste inspires engineer’s new venture
In the heart of WA’s prime avocado growing region, a former engineer is turning formerly rejected fruit into sought-after oil. ⌘ Read more

New vineyard at Turners Beach in north west Tasmania
Pushing towards organic produce on this Tasmanian vineyard ⌘ Read more

Unique grape variety at a new Tasmanian vineyard
Let’s head out behind Ulverstone on Tasmania’s North-West Coast to Spalford. ⌘ Read more

Tiny vines could hold the key to a future-proof wine industry
The CSIRO and Wine Australia are trialling fast-growing, mildew-resistant grapevines that are designed to maintain wine quality in a changing climate. ⌘ Read more

Banana growers scramble to rescue cyclone-damaged fruit
An estimated 1.6 million kilograms of bananas have been damaged or destroyed in NSW because of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. ⌘ Read more

How long does potted citrus take to fruit? Much longer than you think
Growing citrus trees in pots is an easy way to start a homegrown orchard, whether you’re renting or looking to add some colour to a courtyard or balcony. ⌘ Read more

Farmers may reap benefits as Trump’s tariffs anger global markets
Australian growers are preparing to reap the benefit of Trump’s trade war as global markets look to source products from other regions. ⌘ Read more

Farmers have battled floods, frost and drought — and now US tariffs
The imposition of US import tariffs is the latest in a long series of challenges for SA farmers, who have battled frost and flooding in recent years, and are currently contending with drought. ⌘ Read more

Around 200 dahlias on this flower farm
Dahlias to the fore at this northern Tasmania flower farm ⌘ Read more

How to start enjoying Shepard avocados as Hass become harder to find
Hass avocados are out of season for the next few months, meaning those craving an avo fix may have to turn to the often-maligned Shepard variety. But despite the bad rap, Shepard avocados have their own strengths. ⌘ Read more

Bitter broccoli ploughed into soil as epic dry continues in Victoria
One farmer in Victoria’s west has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of broccoli, during a dry spell described by another as the worst since the millennium drought. ⌘ Read more

Winemaker says crop destroyed by hazard reduction burn
Smoke from a hazard reduction burn in the NSW Southern Highlands allegedly destroys millions of dollars worth of wine grapes, leaving any wine produced tasting “like an ashtray”. ⌘ Read more

Meet the man who makes dessert wine in the desert
Many people are surprised to find a winery more than 800 kilometres inland from Western Australia’s coast, but veteran Kalgoorlie winemaker Geoff Paynter says they shouldn’t be. ⌘ Read more

Amid weather ‘whims’, Tassie grape growers expect a bumper harvest
While growers say they are always anxious about the risk of smoke taint from bushfires and burn-offs, conditions in Tasmania are ripening for a bumper wine grape harvest this year. ⌘ Read more

Tonnes of fruit lost as drought drives birds into SA orchards
Booming bird populations are searching for more food sources in the Adelaide Hills during the drought, devastating farmers in what had been a good season. ⌘ Read more

Drinkers lose taste for heavy red wine and farmers take note
Emerging trends at bars, restaurants and pubs are leading to changes in paddocks for farmers and winemakers. ⌘ Read more

European grape varieties make Australian debut
It took Mark Walpole eight years to get the two varieties into Australia and this year will be the first vintage. ⌘ Read more

Damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred tops $17m for NSW farmers
Horticulture businesses were some of the hardest hit with strong winds causing widespread damage in orchards. ⌘ Read more

Europe and the US are in the midst of a wine war. It’s not their first
Almost 50 years ago, American wine faced its first David vs Goliath moment against Europe. Now the pair are bracing for their next big battle. ⌘ Read more

Tasting room helps consumers detect different flavours in olive oil
Olive oil producers and judges want Australians to get more familiar with the different flavours of the pantry staple. ⌘ Read more

Australia’s food bowl the Lockyer Valley is ‘sick of floods but used to it’
Floods from Cyclone Alfred are a reminder that days of isolation and wearing the cost of floods out of your own pocket are part of life in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley. ⌘ Read more

Supermarket shelves stripped bare far from TC Alfred impact zone
Supermarkets across Queensland grapple with grocery shortages in the wake of the natural disaster, with flooding expected to affect the supply of fresh vegetables in the coming months. ⌘ Read more

How to grow a pumpkin big enough to row down a river
Rowing a giant pumpkin might seem like something from a nursery rhyme, but growing it? Mark Peacock is The Big Pumpkin grower and says it’s less of a fairytale and more like a lesson in resilience. ⌘ Read more

Understanding the difference between matcha grades and qualities
There is no standardised regulation in place for the matcha grading system, but you can still tell the difference by understanding distinct qualities of the varieties. ⌘ Read more

Grape growers working in the dark as harvest gets underway in WA
Night-time has become a hive of activity in parts of regional Western Australia as the annual wine grape harvest gets underway. ⌘ Read more

Do ethical tea labels stack up? We went to Sri Lanka to see firsthand
An ABC investigation in Sri Lanka has found popular certification schemes are failing to live up to their ethical promises. ⌘ Read more

Wine grape growers demand safeguards for industry in ‘crisis’
Farmers in Australia’s largest wine grape regions are calling on the federal government to implement a mandatory code of conduct immediately to stop a mass exodus of growers. ⌘ Read more

Who gives a fig about us? Adelaide Hills orchard faces ‘total loss’ on cusp of fruit fly restriction area
Glen Ewin Estate at Lower Hermitage in the Adelaide Hills is on the cusp of the yellow fruit fly restriction area. Fig producer, Willa Walker says the business has been ‘terminally affected’ following the Glynde outbreak. ⌘ Read more

Fruit fly was found in the suburbs, up the hill, growers aren’t allowed to sell their fruit
A 15 kilometre “suspension zone” was enacted in January after Queensland fruit fly maggots were found in homegrown peaches at Glynde, north-east of the Adelaide CBD. Two Adelaide Hills strawberry growers are calling for changes to national fruit fly protocols. ⌘ Read more

Major expansion plans for a small vineyard on a Tasmanian sheep farm
Extra water needed for vineyard expansion ⌘ Read more

Farmers reduce plastic waste with cardboard berry punnets
WA blueberry farmers are tackling the product’s plastic waste problem with biodegradable packing they say is worth the extra cost. ⌘ Read more

Dipped in weed killer, sprayed with gas — what’s in your supermarket bouquet?
Toxic chemicals and cheap imports — your supermarket bouquet for Valentine’s Day might not be the bargain you thought it was. ⌘ Read more

Remainder of Bruce Highway alternative to be sealed, prime minister announces
Future interruptions to freight and food deliveries from flooding in north Queensland may be avoided if the remaining 11 kilometres of an inland alternative route — the Kennedy Developmental Road — is sealed. ⌘ Read more

Flower trends shift as Australians buy locally grown blooms
Australian native flowers, dahlias, and chrysanthemum are overtaking the classic rose as more people across the country seek out locally grown blooms. ⌘ Read more

‘Kick in the guts’ for citrus growers smashed by hail twice this season
Queensland citrus growers are counting the cost after several producers around Gayndah were hit by violent hailstorms twice in one season. ⌘ Read more

Mango disease mystery solved
Researchers have discovered what’s causing mango twig tip dieback, but warn there’s still a lot of work to be done. ⌘ Read more

North Queensland bananas selling at a discount despite flooding
Banana prices look likely to stay low, even if supply is temporarily disrupted by flooding. ⌘ Read more

Fly larvae happy to munch on winery waste to make fertiliser
Two different agricultural enterprises have come together to tackle Australia’s food waste challenge in an unexpected way — using the humble fly. ⌘ Read more

SA vintage kicks off early but shows promise of excellent wine
Drought, heat and frost have cut yields and pushed SA’s wine industry into an early vintage, but a silver lining looms in the promise of high quality wines as a result. ⌘ Read more

‘Wall of water’ smashes north Queensland cane and banana crops
Growers rushed to pick, pack and truck their fruit out before the rain started, but say it will be difficult to restock supermarket shelves after significant flood damage. ⌘ Read more

Time-poor Aussies leave ‘inconvenient’ fruits off the shopping list
Growers fear the time it takes to cut up a pineapple and clean the mess off the chopping board is behind flatlining sales. ⌘ Read more