Queensland mushroom grower exits industry amid $10,000 weekly losses
A long-standing family-run mushroom farm in Queensland is closing down after years of financial losses. The owners cite rising production costs and stagnant market prices as the primary reasons for exiting the industry.
Why it matters
The closure reflects broader economic pressures on small-scale agricultural producers and the impact of inflation on food supply chains.
Joanne Willemse says she had hoped her children could carry on the family business. ( ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross )
SjW Mushrooms will fill its final boxes next week as the business ceases operations.
The family-run farm has been producing mushrooms for more than four decades.
Growers say more assistance is needed to keep Australian farms in business.
Link copied Share Share article Joanne and Steve Willemse did everything they could to keep the gates open at their commercial mushroom farm at Chevallum, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
They downsized their business, sold an apartment, and the investment property they had bought to fund their retirement.
"It's got to the stage now where we're not making any money at all, we're actually losing money," Ms Willemse said.
Joanne Willemse holds one of the last boxes of Swiss brown mushrooms produced at the farm. ( ABC Sunshine Coast: Jessica Ross )
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