Despite a delayed capsicum and eggplant harvest for some growers in Western Australia, the season is shaping up well.
Growers in Carnarvon, 800 kilometres north of Perth, were hit with a setback in February when required lines of seedlings were held in Perth due to the discovery of the tomato potato psyllid. The three-week delay in receiving their seedlings, combined with warm weather conditions, had growers concerned for their produce.
However, with great effort and blessed by a warm, dry winter around the state, the state of Rob Kuzmicich' crop has been looking up.
"It's taken a lot of work to try and get them right, especially the first two patches, and they're starting to look pretty good now — they're looking better than I thought," Mr Kuzmicich said.
The brothers are still at least one week away from harvesting their capsicums for the season — five weeks later than usual — but Mr Kuzmicich said he was pleased with the quality he was seeing.
"Some of the crop coming through is magnificent, and our third patch is probably the best patch we've ever grown I'd say," he said.
Mr Kuzmicich said he had been picking eggplants for three weeks, and the season had started well with large yields and sizes. Although the brothers are pleased with what had been a potentially devastating season, a glut has formed in Perth markets, reducing prices.
"There's a bit of a glut in some product lines, and eggplant would probably be one of them for now," Mr Kuzmicich said. "Although with the cooler weather coming on that might shorten up in the next week or two."
