Stone fruit growers across Australia are faced with tough decisions, including potentially having to pull out some of their trees, as the coronavirus pandemic bumps up air freight costs on export markets.
While some growers are already changing their strategies by moving more produce onto high waters this season, some varieties, such as white flesh peaches, are simply not suited for weeks at sea.
Typically destined for the lucrative Chinese market, the juicy rounds need to arrive more quickly, which would not be easy by sea.
The latest USDA report on Australian stone fruit production is forecasting a 17% decline in exports of peaches and nectarines for the 2020 - 2021 season.