Cyclone Debbie has the potential to wipe out fruit, vegetable and sugar cane crops worth more than one billion dollars, devastating regional communities and sending prices soaring at the green grocers.
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| Three cane-growing regions are in Debbie's path. |
Debbie is expected to cross the coast on Tuesday morning south of Bowen as a large category four cyclone, with winds in excess of 200 kilometres an hour.
The Bowen area, between Mackay and Townsville, produces most of Australia's winter vegetable crop, including capsicum, tomato, eggplant, pumpkin, cucumber, beans and corn.
It also supplies tropical fruits such as mango, rockmelon, pineapples and lychee.
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association president Carl Walker said horticulture in the region turned over $450 million a year and employed 3,500 people.
Read the ABC Rural story - “Cyclone Debbie damage bill for farmers could hit $1b, agricultural groups warn.”
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