SEDA news and events
Get set for a minimum wage increase
Following its Annual Wage Review, the Fair Work Commission has announced an increase to the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages.
The Commission has increased the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages by 3.75%.
The increase applies from the first pay period starting on or after 1 July 2024.
In the meantime, you can:
- learn more about the minimum wage increase at 2023 - 2024 Annual Wage Review (bookmark this page and check back for updates)
- use Find my award to check which award applies to you
An updated version of the Fair Work Information Statement will also be available from 1 July 2024.
"The flat peach has become a premium and quite widespread fruit"
The popularity of flat peaches has significantly increased over the years, despite initial perceptions of the fruit as unattractive and misshapen, says Aysel Oguz, Commercial Manager for Turkish fresh produce grower and exporter Anadolu Etap. "Typically, the stone fruit season, including flat peaches, begins in southern regions of Türkiye such as Tarsus, Mersin, and Adana. Reflecting on the early days of flat peach cultivation in the area, I recall a time when people considered the fruit to be shapeless and unattractive. Today, however, it has become a premium product with widespread popularity. The flat peach is favoured for its excellent taste, aroma, and high sugar content, in addition to being easy to eat." Read the full Fresh Plaza article HERE
GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW NECTARINES, PEACHES, PARAGUAYOS
The stone fruit season in a few countries in the Northern Hemisphere looks promising, while it is also up to 10 days earlier. This is due to warmer weather during spring, which favours faster growing of the nectarines, peaches and flat peaches or paraguayos. Spain, as Europe's major stone fruit growing country and exporter, is 10 days earlier with very good prospects for the 2024 season, that will be better than last year. Read the full Fresh Plaza article HERE
Georgia Peach Council expects bumper crop of sweet Georgia peaches
The Georgia Peach Council announced it expects a record-breaking crop of particularly sweet Georgia peaches.
Industry optimism is based on a full winter of productive dormancy and a long, cool spring of perfect weather. Combining these growing conditions with well-rested fruit-bearing trees, has the Georgia Peach Council anticipating a sweet recipe for the best summer of succulent Georgia peaches in multiple decades.
These conditions are also key in providing premium sizing and vibrant color to the fruit.
Peach growers optimize advantages of local loyalty
Midwestern peach growers face plenty of sales competition from other regions, but large markets and demand for local produce still give them a competitive edge.
“A fresh peach is the best peach,” said Illinois farm marketer Chris Eckert. “The closer you get to the tree, the better it tastes. That’s why it’s still a product that drives consumer demand.”
Marketing and sales were among the topics discussed during the Michigan Spring Peach Meeting in March, held at Michigan State University’s Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor
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