SunRice Group chief executive officer Rob Gordon said the 2019 Riverina rice crop was the second-lowest on record at 54 000 tonnes, and the current Australian crop due for harvest in coming months will be smaller again.
“SunRice has experienced significant increase in demand for SunRice products, which has affected availability of stock in Australian retailers,” he said.
“The most significant increase in demand has been for rice and rice food products, but we have also seen increased demand across our Riviana Foods product range, including Always Fresh.
“We are producing stock as quickly as possible from our rice processing and packing facilities in the Riverina of NSW, however, demand for products is currently exceeding supply capability.“The demand spike due to COVID-19 has exacerbated shortage of supply of Australian rice products, which SunRice has already been experiencing as a consequence of ongoing drought conditions in the Riverina, and the impact of those conditions on Australian rice production.”
Mr Gordon said the company was looking internationally to help restock the country's rice supply.
“With the low Australian crop, Australia is now no longer self-sufficient in rice,” he said.
“Where necessary, the SunRice Group is now flexing its international supply capability to source high-quality rice from international sources to temporarily supplement supply to the Australian market.”
Rice Growers Association of Australia chair Rob Massina is not growing rice on his property, north of Finley, this year due to a lack of water and said the current situation showed how important the agriculture sector is.
“From an association and my perspective as a farmer, it shows the importance of producing Australian food — and the ability to put product on the shelves for consumers.”
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