AUSTRALIAN canned asparagus has disappeared from supermarket shelves.
Cheap imports from Peru, China, the Philippines and Thailand have taken over the aisles, as supermarkets import their house brand products.
But tinned Australian asparagus will soon make a comeback at Coles.
Australia's only asparagus processor, Windsor Farms at Cowra in NSW, will supply the retail giant next year.
Bridge Farm Asparagus owner Joanne Courtney said it was outrageous that supermarket shelves were dominated by imported asparagus when there was a cannery in Cowra.
"I have my own theory ... they really don't want small Australian farmers," Mrs Courtney said.
"They would rather import from overseas as it gives them a higher profit margin.
"I personally wouldn't buy a product from Thailand or China ... it's about the chemical-use side and whether they're trained (in chemical use)."
Windsor Farm national business manager retail Bruce Leplaw said he had 20-30 enquiries weekly from customers looking to buy Australian asparagus.
"We've got customers willing to pay postage to have cartons sent to them - we sold 12 last week," Mr Leplaw said.
"We should be getting premium for Australian asparagus ... people will pay."
Koo Wee Rup grower Charlie Motta said the Australian industry was largely dependent on exporting to Japan.
He said imports had forced down the price Windsor Farm could pay to Australian growers.
"It doesn't pay enough ... but it can't pay more, and I understand why," Mr Motta said.
Mr Leplaw said supermarkets dictated the price they would pay for produce to suppliers.
Warragul "Sweet Tips" owner Gordon Jones, who sells pickled asparagus, said Australian growers were often forced to cater for niche markets.
"We can't compete with supermarkets as they put it on for $3.80 (for a tin of imported produce) and we can't even produce it for that ... it knocks us pretty much right out of the market and we have to go to a specific category," Mr Jones said.
