Fighting for Aussie Farmers: Two Decades On

It’s been 20 years since Tasmanian vegetable growers led one of the biggest agricultural protests in Australia’s history. The Fair Dinkum Food Campaign, powered by tractors, pushed for clearer food labelling and urged consumers to buy locally grown produce. While the campaign achieved an overhaul in country of origin labelling, farmers today still face tough challenges in a market flooded with cheap imports.

The High Cost of Growing Local

Growing processing potatoes in Tasmania, for example, costs around $22,000 per hectare. Such high production costs, combined with fierce competition from imported frozen vegetables and chips, make surviving in the local market tough. Tasmanian growers have felt this strain intensely, especially when wholesale buyers slash prices blaming imported goods for undermining competitiveness.

Supermarket Shelves and Private Labels

Supermarket chains increasingly stock private label frozen vegetables that are sourced overseas and packed in multiple countries, often without clear origin labelling. Even though some retailers claim their own-brand frozen vegetables are primarily Australian, the presence of cheaper imported options in low-tier product lines is a growing concern for local farmers.

Profit Over People?

Farmers argue that supermarkets prioritise profits over supporting Australian growers and local food manufacturing industries. The sentiment is that as supermarket chains fill shelves with imported products, the future of homegrown fresh and processed food is under threat. This has sparked memories of the 2005 protests when farmers first raised these concerns.

Government Campaigns and Consumer Choices

In response, the federal government announced a $20 million campaign to encourage Australians to buy local produce. Yet with household budgets stretched tighter than ever, consumers often face difficult choices, sometimes opting for cheaper imported food over Australian-made options.

Why Supporting Aussie Farmers Matters

Support for local agriculture isn’t just a matter of pride—it’s about food security, community sustainability, and sovereign risk. As the farmers who once led the tractor trek say, if Australians don’t buy local, the food processing factories and farms will disappear—for good.

A Continuing Fight for Food Sovereignty

The Fair Dinkum Food Campaign united farmers nationwide and put pressure on retailers and politicians alike. However, as new challenges arise, the fight to protect Australia’s agricultural future continues. For many growers, the hope is that in another 20 years, the conversation will have moved on from survival to thriving.

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