Lockyer Valley’s flood-hit farmers and growers are urging Australians to be patient, amid soaring prices of vegetables and a shortage of fresh produce in supermarkets.

Spinach, broccoli and cauliflower all come out of the Lockyer Valley this time of year.

Michael Sippel, president of the Lockyer Valley Growers Association, it’s been a perfect storm for growers, who were hit with heavy rain and flooding in February and again in May.

“I think people forget, we had October and November rain and big hail storms here, farmers have copped it pretty bad,” he told Neil Breen.

“They got their first crop in the ground to harvest October, November, planted again, lost it again in February – most of your sweet corn, green beans pumpkins.

“And they planted again in April, lost it again in May, it’s been a rough old ride to be a farmer out here.”

He told Neil he’s not sure how much more growers can take.

With the soaring cost of lettuce and cabbage in the headlines, Mr Sippel is encouraging Australians to continue to buy local produce, and understand the price fluctuation.

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