QLD: Beattie gives SPC rough end of pineapple over imports

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-1999
QLD: Beattie gives SPC rough end of pineapple over imports

BRISBANE, Aug 10 AAP - The Queensland government today called for a boycott on all SPC
Limited products because the company was importing pineapples and other tropical fruits rather
than using locally-grown.

But the company said Premier Peter Beattie had been "duped" by the local canned pineapple
"monopoly", Golden Circle.

Today Mr Beattie accused Shepparton-based SPC of "slapping Australian farmers in the face"
by agreeing to co-manufacture a range of tropical fruits at Siam Food's factory in Thailand
from next month.

Mr Beattie called on consumers to instead purchase Golden Circle products because the
company supported 750 local growers.

"We're suggesting very clearly that there should be a boycott of SPC produce," Mr Beattie
said.

"We've got the best producers of pineapples in the world and what we want is a fair go for
Queensland producers."

Mr Beattie said Golden Circle did import some foreign produce but only when there was a
commercial supply shortage, crop failures or seasonal unavailability.

He said Golden Circle employed around 1,700 people at its factory north of Brisbane.

Mr Beattie said a boycott could damage SPC financially.

"Where does this hurt SPC? It hurts them in the pocket."

He said the government had written to SPC today to plead the case for Queensland farmers.

But SPC managing director Peter Thor told AAP Mr Beattie had been "duped".

"Golden Circle have somehow duped the Premier up there into making a statement about what
really is a good news story for Australia," Dr Thor said.

"What we have done is absolutely no threat whatsoever to Golden Circle's monopoly on canned
pineapple sales in retail and they are trying to make it into a big deal, and really they are
using the government of Queensland to go after a competitor.

"Golden Circle's little cosy monopoly is being threatened and (managing director) Barry
Kelly is lashing out," he said.

"It's an absolutely sleazy attack and he's not disclosing the facts."

Golden Circle processed around 100,000 raw tonnes of pineapple a year but SPC would be
processing less than 1,000 tonnes in Thailand, and most of that would be sold to other
countries, Dr Thor said.

"SPC is a very small player and we are not posing a threat to anyone," he said.

"We are honestly mystified as to what the big ruckus is about."

Golden Circle managing director Barry Kelly said Australian growers were "pretty
disappointed" that they were not offered the opportunity to compete with the Thai growers.

"If SPC truly wants to be internationally competitive then they should be doing their
peaches in China, they should be doing their tomatoes either in New Zealand or in Thailand,
because they are the benchmark, the best," Mr Kelly told AAP.

"We do have a tropical region in Australia and we do have tropical fruits and we see that
as part of our corporate culture to be the tropical fruit people of Australia and to develop
markets for the tropical fruits that are internationally competitive."

AAP sls/rad/cjh

KEYWORD: PINEAPPLES

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.