The emergence of imported onions from the US into the Australian wholesale market, has caused concern amongst domestic producers that unknowing Aussie consumers might reach for the 'wrong' onions. Onions Australia has responded with a call to educate consumers about "buying Australian".
The Queensland fresh onion season is in full swing and Onions Australia chairperson Kees Versteeg, said the produce is available on supermarket and greengrocer shelves, as well as in the wholesale markets.
“Onions Australia has been campaigning for some time to have the imports stopped,” he said.
“We have undertaken a national education campaign to alert both retailers and consumers that Australia has a plentiful supply of our own locally grown onions. Australian onions are grown in the safest conditions, with our growers adhering to the strictest production standards second to none.
“Australian onions are available year round because our growers have worked hard to ensure supply, with Queensland kicking off the season, followed within weeks by the other growing states of Australia.”
According to Mr Versteeg, both Coles and Woolworths have given an undertaking they would not import US onions.
“Onions Australia urges all consumers to ask their retailer exactly where their onions have been sourced from, and to ensure that they are Australian grown. If in doubt, ask your retailer to see the outer packaging these onions arrived in."
