Another Australian company scales down its production

@JudyEv (342490)

Rockingham, Australia

June 6, 2024 6:28am CST

I often wish that Australia would become more independent of other countries. We become more and more vulnerable the more we rely on other countries for manufacturing and production of food. For instance, most white goods are produced overseas and we no longer have an automotive industry. The latest casualty is SPC Ardmona, Australia’s largest producer of packed fruit and vegetables. The company was formed in 2002, when the Shepparton Preserving Company (SPC, established in 1917) became amalgamated with Ardmona Cannery (begun in 1921). Because of the declining demand for Australia-grown products, the company is reducing its peach and pear intake by 40%. Customers are turning to cheaper imported options. This has dire consequences for orchardists, market gardeners and factory workers. We try to buy Australian products whenever we can but some struggle to buy the cheaper brands let alone the slightly more expensive Australian brands. Do you try to buy products from your own country? The photo is another typical Australia scene.

18 people like this

16 responses

@LadyDuck (472258)

• Switzerland

6 Jun

All countries are making the same mistake. I think that it would be better to try to produce more locally. I try to buy products from our country... unfortunately are often so much more expensive than imported products.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

The expense puts everyone off buying local produce but if we all become too reliant on imported goods from, say, China, then we fall out with them, suddenly we might face severe shortages.

2 people like this

@LadyDuck (472258)

• Switzerland

7 Jun

@JudyEv - Exactly, here in Switzerland the "import" of fresh products like vegetables, fruits, cheese and cured meats is from Europe. Switzerland share borders with France and Italy that produce a lot more fresh vegetables. We are a mountain country and I understand why the local products are so expensive. Too much "made in China" for what concerns, large and small appliances, clothing, shoes. I try to buy those things made here, they cost more but instead that one year they last many years.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

@LadyDuck A friend bought some kitchen benchtops from China and when he cut a hole for the sink, the top was full of plastic bags. The workmanship is sometimes very shoddy and there is no way of getting any satisfaction from the manufacturer.

2 people like this

Show more comments

@wolfgirl569 (108824)

• Marion, Ohio

6 Jun

I try to but I don't read the labels of canned stuff. I know you are supposed to be able to tell by the numbers on them

2 people like this

show previous comments

@wolfgirl569 (108824)

• Marion, Ohio

7 Jun

@JudyEv That happens many places. I have read we sometimes ship stuff out while buying the same from other countries

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

I didn't know about the numbers. We read the labels. Some might be packaged in Australia but the contents come from elsewhere.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

8 Jun

@wolfgirl569 That happens here too. We can't afford to buy crayfish as it's all shipped to China.

2 people like this

@Marilynda1225 (83186)

• United States

6 Jun

I try to buy American whenever I can but sometimes it's hard. That's sad that your Australian company is scaling back on it's peach and pear production. I can't speak for everyone but with the increasing prices on everything these days I think we tend to look for bargains just to stretch our budget.

2 people like this

show previous comments

@Marilynda1225 (83186)

• United States

10 Jun

@JudyEv sometimes it's better to pay the higher price depending on what it is you're looking to buy and I have to agree that it's a pick and choose where to spend the money.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

I think you're right about everyone trying to stretch your budget. We sometimes um and ah about whether to take the cheaper imported product or the more expensive local one. To a degree, it depends on the price difference and the product.

2 people like this

Show more comments

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317459)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

6 Jun

I'm sorry the company is lowering their production because Australians are buying from foreign markets. Last night was the first time I can say I truly bought local when I went to the Farmer's Market. Otherwise, when shopping food and products can come from anywhere in the world.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jun

We rarely go to farmers' markets but that is doing even more good for your immediate community.

2 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317459)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

6 Jun

@JudyEv Yes, it is.

2 people like this

@Hannihar (130213)

• Israel

7 Jun

@JudyEv I understand what you are saying. We also have places that change a lot and there are new businesses going in in their place. I also prefer Blue and White products while you prefer Australian. I like to give back to our one and only Jewish country in the world by buying things here rather than other countries. Here in Israel we have had lots of stores close for many years and something else pops up in its place and i go past them and sometimes cannot remember what was there in the first place.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

Some stores come and go in a very short time. I wouldn't like to own a store.

2 people like this

@Hannihar (130213)

• Israel

8 Jun

@JudyEv Unless the store stays and people come inside. There is so much competition out there.

1 person likes this

@porwest (93114)

• United States

6 Jun

Even here in the United States it can be rather difficult to find American made. Whenever I can I do my best to support both American and local. It DOES make a difference.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jun

Buying local is even better but we don't have a farmers' market close by.

2 people like this

@porwest (93114)

• United States

7 Jun

@JudyEv We have a few of them around here, which helps.

2 people like this

@GardenGerty (161165)

• United States

7 Jun

Yes, we even like to buy from our own region, but it is not always possible.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

We used to buy locally when we lived in Donnybrook but it's different now we're in suburbia. I'm glad you buy from the region when you can.

1 person likes this

@BarBaraPrz (47806)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

6 Jun

Yes, I try to buy Canadian, unfortunately nobody grows oranges here, and I love oranges. Nobody grows bananas either, but I don't love bananas so I hardly ever buy them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jun

I don't think there are too many fruits and vegetables that we couldn't grow ourselves as we have such a diverse range of climates.

2 people like this

@Juliaacv (51695)

• Canada

7 Jun

That is disappointing that the companies are not panning out. Too many people will opt for items to be shipped in and order online. I try to support Canadian businesses, to keep my fellow Canadians, as well as the shipping companies that they rely on working. The other reason that I like to buy Canadian is because our government has a recall list, and if anything is recalled that is the site to find it on. I won't necessarily find recalled items immediately when they are recalled if they are from another country. For years many people bought (cheap) items from the dollar store and in many cases they were found to contain lead paint. That is a no-no. Beautiful photo.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

I love the light in this photo. It instantly makes me feel calmer. That's sensible to keep an eye on a recall list. I wonder if we have that here.

2 people like this

@RasmaSandra (81127)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

6 Jun

Lovely scenery, You know I am always on a tight budget so the price of the items I buy is the most important but because I buy the Great Value store brand from Walmart I suppose their products are USA

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

I know sometimes there is no option but I'm sure we all do what we can by our local companies.

2 people like this

@xFiacre (13208)

• Ireland

6 Jun

@judyev You just never know where stuff comes from. At least Australia is good at producing and marketing TV dramas. The one we’re watching right now is Glitch. Preposterous storyline but quite gripping. All Saints is another favourite here - my wife loves hospital dramas.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

I haven't heard of Glitch. We do seem to make a lot of films too.

@Shiva49 (26802)

• Singapore

6 Jun

I am a loyal local supporter. It is more environmentally friendly too as we can avoid transportation and fuel costs when imported from other countries.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

That's another good point. Less pollution from transporting goods.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (183007)

• United States

7 Jun

It's hard to buy products from your own country when so much is produced overseas. Quite honestly I just makes purchases...I don't check origins. I'm sorry Australia is losing a big producer. Have a good weekend.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

We never used to worry about it but we do try to buy more Australian-made than we used to.

2 people like this

@Beestring (14717)

• Hong Kong

6 Jun

Hong Kong is a small city. We do not have a strong manufacturing base. We mainly import products from China and other countries. Whenever possible, I try to buy "made in Hong Kong" products.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

I understand that sometimes you can't buy local products. I think countries would be better off if they tried to manufacture more of their goods.

2 people like this

@popciclecold (39637)

• United States

6 Jun

I try to buy products from my company.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

7 Jun

You can't always but if we can, we do.

1 person likes this

@RebeccasFarm (90571)

• Arvada, Colorado

6 Jun

Sad isn't it. I do.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342490)

• Rockingham, Australia

6 Jun

It's good to support your own country and even better if you can support your own region.

1 person likes this