Strawberry needle scare bringing industry to its knees

There are concerns about the long term impact on the fruit industry after sewing needles have been found in punnets of strawberry across the country.

Needles have now been found in the fruit in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria while two distributors in New Zealand have stopped importing punnets from Australia.

Queensland Strawberry Growers Association Vice President Adrian Schultz told Macquarie Radio the incidents are having wide-ranging impacts.

“It doesn’t just affect the farmers, it affects all the people who supply to farmers,” he said.

Strawberry growers have begun installing metal detectors.

The association says what started with a single “act of commercial terrorism” has now brought a multi-million dollar industry to its knees.

Berry Obsession, Berry Licious and Donnybrook Berries have recalled their strawberries nationwide.