May 22, 2013

Europe demands more Australian non-GM rapeseed

Europe is buying nearly all of Australian rapeseed growers' traditional varieties, however European markets generally refuse to buy genetically modified (GM) rapeseed and, as a result, Australian non-GM growers are receiving up to US$40 a tonne more for their produce.

The European market is now worth US$1 billion a year to Australian rapeseed growers. Victorian farmer Simon Tickner says he will continue growing non-GM rapeseed until the price premium changes.

"From a general point of view, particularly over the past 12-18 months, the premium for conventional has been there," he said.

"From my farming point of view, we need to have a good reason to grow GM rapeseed and that's generally going to be an agronomic one."