The Nationals’ farmers – where are they now 12 months on – as zucchini farmer Ross Marsolino quits in New Year’s Resolution

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Australian farmers continue to be ‘done over’ by supermarkets because of Labor’s weak polices.

In a sad update from The Nationals’ warning 12 months ago, Natural Earth Produce Toolamba zucchini farmer Ross Marsolino, who went viral on social media after lashing out at the supermarkets, has now quit farming vegetables.

“Exactly one year ago, on January 7, 2024, The Nationals warned farmers like Ross would walk away if they didn’t start getting their fair share from supermarkets,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Peak group Ausveg warned in its Vegetable Industry Sentiment Report that 34 per cent of Australian vegetable growers were considering leaving the industry within a year. We now see in 2025 the threat is being realised because farmers are understandably fed up.

“Ross simply asked for more than $2 a kilo for his zucchinis but the supermarkets instead low-balled him, offering between $1.50 and $2 per kilo. So, Ross kept a promise to himself that he would quit if things didn’t improve and in 2025 has done just that.

“Sadly under Labor, there will be no practical changes when it comes to our farmers and supermarkets until April this year. The cost-of-living crisis for families and farmers is now, not in April.

“The Coalition called for bipartisan support for the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to be made mandatory with significant penalties in late 2022 and then for a price inquiry into the disparities between farmgate and retail pricing at Australia’s major supermarkets.

“Labor has been too slow to act, forcing farmers like Ross to leave the industry. Even when Labor’s Code comes into effect, the changes will do little to stop price gouging, with inadequate infringement notice penalties of just $198,000, compared with the Coalition’s planned infringement notice penalties of $2 million for supermarkets who do the wrong thing.

“Labor also isn’t introducing powers for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to audit a supermarket at any time and is failing to bring in ‘big stick’ divestiture laws to stamp out anti-competitive behaviour.”

Farmer Ross is now happily growing lucerne, also known as alfalfa, to sell to the livestock industry as feed for animals.

“I’m not going to bed knowing that somebody ripped me off at the supermarket anymore,” Ross said.

“I refuse to sell vegetables knowing that the product has gone into their stores and I have been ripped off.

“Nothing has happened and it won’t change, not while we have a Labor Government.

“I am having a ball growing lucerne because I don’t have to deal with the supermarkets. The only disappointing part is that I have only have two employees instead of 150.

“But why would I sell zucchinis for $1.50 to $2 a kilo? While the supermarkets control what the government does, you’ve got no hope and I just don’t want to deal with the supermarkets anymore.”

Coles is currently selling zucchinis for $5.90 per kilo.

Meanwhile, Daintree Melon farmer Shaun Jackson will also sell 90 per cent of his product to Japan this year under the new brand of ‘Shaun’s melons’.

“I now sell to Japan, with less hassle, with my own name on it, Shaun’s melons. I have more orders than I can supply,” Mr Jackson said.

Mr Littleproud said when supply goes down, prices go up, so families would also feel the pain of farmers walking away at the supermarket checkout this year.

“Farmers leaving the industry will lead to higher food prices, so all Australians will bear the brunt of Labor’s bad policies.”