Beetroot growers can processing plans

Updated

Beetroot growers in southern Queensland's Lockyer Valley say they will not proceed with plans to build a canning and processing facility.

Local growers produce 90 per cent of Australia's beetroot crop but will be left without a market when Heinz moves its processing facility offshore next year.

Spokesman Colin Dorber says a study they have commissioned shows it will cost too much to build their own cannery in the Lockyer.

"[The] second stage feasibility study is scheduled to be developed, terms of reference signed off, and be completed by December 31 this year, so that the really critical decisions for the next beetroot planting season and the long-term decisions particularly about investment be taken," he said.

Topics: vegetables, agricultural-policy, agribusiness, manufacturing, lockyer-4344, toowoomba-4350

First posted