While fuel prices have largely stabilised and many other production costs have eased, the impacts of global conflict continue to flow through the vegetable supply chain. Higher transport, freight and logistics costs have become embedded in the market, placing ongoing pressure on growers and squeezing margins across the industry.

For many producers, the increased cost of moving produce from farm to market is now one of the largest challenges to profitability. These added expenses are difficult to recover in the marketplace and continue to erode returns, particularly for businesses already operating on tight margins.

As the conflict grinds on, so too does the uncertainty surrounding global trade and export markets. Ongoing geopolitical tensions create risks for shipping, market access and international supply chains, making long-term planning more difficult for growers. While the industry has shown remarkable resilience, continued volatility remains a significant concern for vegetable producers looking to invest and grow their businesses.

relationships, support innovation and ensure the vegetable industry remains connected, resilient and focused on future growth.

The recent ABC 7.30 and Four Corners reports highlighting allegations of misleading country of origin claims in imported processed products have raised serious concerns for Western Australian vegetable growers. If proven correct, these claims not only undermine consumer confidence but also call into question the effectiveness of current food labelling requirements and the level of oversight applied to imported food products entering Australia. Consumers deserve to know exactly where their food is grown, produced and processed, and any suggestion that this information may be inaccurate is deeply concerning.

For WA vegetable growers, the issue goes well beyond labelling. Local producers operate under some of the most stringent food safety, environmental, chemical usage, workplace health and safety, and labour regulations in the world. Compliance with these requirements is essential and delivers confidence to consumers, but it also comes at a significant cost. Growers invest heavily in meeting these standards while remaining committed to producing safe, high-quality food for Australian families.

The frustration for many growers is that imported products can enter the Australian market from countries that may not face the same level of regulatory scrutiny or production costs. Differences in labour expenses, environmental obligations, chemical regulations and workplace standards can result in substantially lower production costs overseas. These products then compete directly with Australian grown produce, often on price alone, creating an uneven playing field for local growers already facing rising costs and tightening margins.

Western Australian vegetable growers are increasingly concerned about the growing volume of imported frozen, canned and processed vegetable products appearing on retail shelves. In many cases, current country of origin labelling laws only identifies where a product was packed or manufactured rather than where the vegetables were actually grown. This can leave consumers uncertain about the true origin of the food they are purchasing and limits their ability to make informed decisions when supporting Australian agriculture.

The findings highlighted by the ABC investigations reinforce the need for stronger country of origin labelling requirements, increased testing of imported vegetable products and greater enforcement of existing laws.

Strengthening transparency across the supply chain will help protect consumers, support local vegetable growers and ensure that the high standards expected of Australian agriculture are reflected throughout the marketplace.

The recent reports into unethical labour hire practices within the horticulture industry serve as an important reminder for all WA vegetable growers to review their employment and payroll systems. While there can be no excuse for the deliberate exploitation or underpayment of workers, it is equally important to recognise that Australia's workplace relations system is complex and continually evolving. Changes to awards, piece rates, casual employment arrangements and payroll obligations can create challenges for growers who are trying to remain compliant while managing a busy farming operation.

Industry regulators have identified cases where employers have incorrectly paid workers, not through deliberate wrongdoing, but because of misunderstandings of award requirements or changes to legislation. These situations can still result in significant penalties, back-pay obligations and reputational damage. Now is an ideal time for growers to review their payroll systems, seek professional advice where necessary and ensure their employment practices meet current legal requirements.

While many of the most serious offences involving worker exploitation have been linked to labour hire operators and intermediaries, growers also have a responsibility to understand who is supplying their workforce and how those workers are being treated. Growers should regularly question and assess labour hire providers, ensure appropriate records are maintained and satisfy themselves that workers are being paid correctly and treated fairly.

Being proactive today can help protect businesses from compliance risks while supporting the reputation and integrity of Western Australia's vegetable industry.

The introduction of the mandatory Grocery Code of Conduct is a welcome development for Western Australian vegetable growers and the broader fresh produce industry. For many years, growers have expressed concerns about the imbalance of power within the supply chain and the challenges of negotiating with major retailers. The strengthened Code aims to create greater transparency, accountability and fairness, helping growers achieve more sustainable commercial outcomes and greater confidence in their dealings with large supermarket chains.

However, fair competition extends beyond retailer relationships. For Western Australian vegetable growers, the combination of a stronger Grocery Code of Conduct, improved country-of-origin labelling and greater oversight of imported products would represent an important step towards a fairer marketplace. Consumers have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to support local growers when provided with accurate information. Ensuring fair competition and greater transparency throughout the supply chain will help strengthen consumer confidence, support local production and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the West Australian vegetable industry.