A rent hike at Melbourne's biggest wholesale market could leave farmers who do not want to deal with Australia's big two supermarkets with nowhere to sell their produce.
Flavourite chief wholesale trading officer Grant Nichol says the wholesale market offers a good option for farmers who do not sell to the big supermarkets.This has sparked protests by traders, who say they will have to pass the cost on and food price s will rise.Five days a week, while most of us are still asleep, Grant Nichol drives to the Melbourne fruit and vegetable wholesale market to haggle and sell fresh produce.
Last week the Victorian government-owned Melbourne Market Authority revealed rents for traders would rise between 6 to 7.6 per cent each year for 10 years. He said the rent hikes would mean his business would pay an extra $300,000 in 10 years' time, a difficult proposition in an operation already running on slim margins."We work long hours in a part of the day when probably most of Melbourne is asleep," Mr Nichol said.
Chief executive Jason Cooper said wholesalers could be forced out of business and the cost of fresh produce would skyrocket at a time when prices had already soared. The chief executive of independent supermarket Ritchies IGA, Fred Harrison, said the rent increase was excessive. Melbourne Market Authority chairperson Peter Toohey said rents had previously been frozen during the pandemic, and the authority relied on data from the Valuer-General Victoria to set the new rents.
Epping Rent Grant Nichol Rural Protest Victorian Government Jacinta Allan Market Authority Food Price Wholesale
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Melbourne crowned Australia’s top city for food lovers as suburban eateries take centre stage7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Melbourne Rebels launch $30m lawsuit against Rugby AustraliaDirectors seek damages and for club to continue to play Super Rugby after RA took control of club when it entered voluntary administration
Read more »
Rugby Australia to counter-sue Melbourne Rebels directorsRugby Australia have accused the Melbourne Rebels of deceiving the national body about the true financial position of the defunct Super Rugby club since 2018.
Read more »
Melbourne Rebels: Club’s former directors sue Rugby AustraliaThe court case comes five months after former Qantas chairman Leigh Clifford declared war against the governing body.
Read more »
Melbourne Rebels sue Rugby Australia for $30 million and seek return of clubThe directors of defunct rugby union club Melbourne Rebels are seeking $30 million from Rugby Australia as part of a damages claim launched in the Federal Court over the demise of the club.
Read more »
Rugby Australia to counter-sue Melbourne Rebels directorsRugby Australia have accused the Melbourne Rebels of deceiving the national body about the true financial position of the defunct Super Rugby club since 2018.
Read more »