Grape growers in Australia are heading to crisis talks with the wine industry and government as prices fall to 1970s levels. It comes as wineries are offering farmers rates as low as AU$120 a tonne (£62) despite the costs of production being more than double this amount. The news follows Riverland Wine group organising an assembly of 900 growers at the request of the South Australian Government to understand concerns. At the meeting yesterday (21 February), BBN Bloomberg reported that it was clear growers wanted more than just financial aid and a “dignified exit” from winegrowing. It said that farmers had called for not just immediate relief that was necessary but also to “facilitate a transition out of an industry” that had become “unsustainable”. There was concern that Labor member of the South Australian Legislative Council Clare Scriven and current premier of South Australia were absent from the meeting due to “parliamentary commitments’, and which created the impression of the growers’ worries not being heard. According to reports in ABC News, some growers are so debt-laden that they are considering walking away from the wine industry and vineyards that have been planted many decades ago. Ready to get out Simi Gill told the publication: “I think this year is the last year that we can make it through. We just need to pay off any debts, and we are ready to get out of our vineyard anyway we can.” “Some of us can’t sleep at night,” she addecd. Third generation
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine
