Dry weather slows pineapple harvest

 

A North Queensland pineapple grower says the dry weather has put his harvest more than a month behind schedule.

 

 

John Zelanker grows pineapples just outside Mackay in North Queensland, and he says a long wet season at the start of the year, followed by a tough dry spell, also has meant the year's crop is down.

 

 

But there could be some good news, Mr Zelanker says, if other pineapple producers are having the same difficulties.

 

 

He says the current low price, which is caused by a glut on the market, could go a bit higher.

"We were concerned about an over-production, and this should hopefully have a silver lining, as what is actually being picked should be of a reasonable price," he says.

 

 

"Though I think people would rather see some rain at this stage, because it is just horribly dry."