Citrus Farmers Turn To The Internet For Sales

 Farmers, tired of being squeezed by supermarkets are looking for other ways to keep their farms producing income.

Sadly  it seems that innovation is a "last resort" option. What could Hunter businesses be doing to be productive and sell in new ways? If a farmer can do it, others can too.


The ABC reports

"ELIZABETH JACKSON: Citrus growers in South Australia are using the internet to open up new markets.

The producers are connecting with their customers online, instead of receiving poor returns on the conventional market.

It's an example of much needed innovation, as many citrus growers face low prices and high costs.

Rural and regional affairs reporter, Sally Sara with this report.

SALLY SARA: Tim and Ryan Arnold pick oranges on their family fruit block near Loxton in South Australia.

Every piece of fruit has already been ordered by a customer online.

Ryan Arnold says the idea of cyber citrus, or selling their fruit directly to customers, came during a morning tea break on the property.

RYAN ARNOLD: We just thought about what would be a quicker way to get our fruit to the customers.

SALLY SARA: On Monday mornings, the Ryan family's in the packing shed, preparing the consignments.

(sound of machinery)

SALLY SARA: The citrus is picked, packed and posted within 24 hours.
Click her for the full story

 Citrus Growers Story on ABC AM

Citrus growers in South Australia are using the internet to open up new markets and attract premium prices for fresh produce.

The producers are connecting with their customers online instead of receiving poor returns on the conventional market.

It is an example of much-needed innovation, as many citrus growers face low prices and high costs.
Tim and Ryan Arnold pick oranges on their family fruit block, near Loxton in South Australia, and every piece of fruit has already been ordered by a customer online.

The idea of cyber citrus - selling fruit directly to consumers - came during a morning tea break on the property.

"We just thought about what would be a quicker way to get our fruit to the customers," Ryan said.
"We found that overseas in the USA, in California and their fruit growing areas, that they were doing a similar thing to what we are now doing, sending fruit online straight to the customers."
It is only a small part of the family's citrus operation, but it has attracted new customers.