AUSVEG URGES SHOPPERS TO CHOOSE AUSTRALIAN-GROWN VEGETABLES

By Jessica Dempster

AUSVEG has launched a campaign encouraging consumers to check country-of-origin labels and choose Australian-grown vegetables when buying frozen and canned products.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Coote said 88 per cent of growers surveyed were financially worse off than a year ago, while four in five were considering leaving the industry within the next 12 months, or would consider leaving with a viable exit strategy.

He said cheaper imports were adding to the challenges facing domestic growers and threatening the long-term viability of Australian vegetable production.

The Check & Choose campaign encourages shoppers to look for country-of-origin information and the green kangaroo triangle logo to identify Australian products.

Mr Coote said frozen and canned vegetables remained convenient, cost-effective options for households, while choosing Australian-grown produce could support local growers and help protect food security.