Fruit and vegetable growers are sounding alarm bells over the prices of fresh produce, which are set to increase in the coming months.
14 growers have signed an open letter to the Government, saying prices of vegetables, strawberries, stone fruit and other produce will go up due to the Government's refusal to bring in overseas workers.
The Government has extended some visas, but has also made it clear to growers they need to employ localsÂ
Phil Greig from Phil Greig Strawberry Gardens told Heather du Plessis-Allan without sufficient labour they will not be able to pick fruit.
"They [produce] need to get more expensive because of our labour costs... the minimum wage is very high so it;s got to be passed on, so strawberries and all vegetables have to go up so we can afford to pay everyone."
Greig said roughly prices will need to go up at least 60 cents.
"They can't keep forcing us down to a low rate, it's just crazy because we just can't afford to pay everyone for the minimum wage."
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