What's happening with SmartBananas
ABC's Landline report on prices
According to a report on ABC TV's landline on the 5th of June even at current prices bananas compare extremely favourable with other snacks. The program found that one kilo of chocolate bars equates to $35 and a kilo of potato chips will cost $32 which makes Australian Bananas even at their current prices an attractive and healthy snack. The MacKay family. ......Read More
Fruit Growing Again
It has almost been 13 weeks since Yasi. 3 months and there is fruit that is well formed and coming along well, however still a long way until it is harvested. At this stage August will see us picking and packing bananas and Smart Bananas. These plants were blown and shaken quiet solidly although not pushed flat, this has affected the roots and therefore the size average will be a bit smaller than normal on the total crop. The MacKay family. ......Read More
6 weeks on ...
Well it has been 6 weeks since Yasi hit and leaving us with a 100% knock down of our fruit. There still is a lot of work to happen over all our Smart Banana farms and no sales to support the expense. We will try and get around the farm and film some of the recovery efforts in the next few weeks. The MacKay family. ......Read More
Community impact
The community is now probably in more shock as it all sinks in and the energy levels and positive approach wane, it's going to be a long way to get back on track. Due to the absolute destruction, the planting cycle of bananas (5 year planting cycle) and the limited funds for us to poor back into our farms, it will be 3 years for us to get back into the ideal production levels. The MacKay family. ......Read More
Assessment of damage
Assessment is complete. 100% knock down of fruit but we have been able to recover a fair bit that is now being carefully assessed and packed. This may go for another few days only then no smart bananas. The MacKay family. ......Read More
Farm Visit
Got to the farms on Saturday but still there are a lot of areas we have no idea of the destruction as of yet. However we do believe the damage to be 100% loss. Photos below. The MacKay family. ......Read More