VEGETABLE imports may have finally peaked.
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the value of Australian vegetable imports fell to $281.1 million last year - down from $321 million during the corresponding period in 2008.
But some growers have questioned the statistics.
Either way, the news provides little consolation to local growers because imports - which reduced slightly in the second half of last year - are almost at saturation point in the frozen and processed sectors.
And fresh imports, traditionally a sector where local growers face the least competition, grew from $22.6 million, in the second half of 2008, to $28.6 million in the corresponding period last year.
Imports of processed vegetables dropped from $124.7 million to $103.9 million, while imports of frozen vegetables dropped from $123.6 million to $94.2 million.
Much of the latter decrease came from a reduction in the importation of frozen prepared potatoes - down from $59.4 million to $37.9 million.
Fresh Select general manager John Said was wary of the suggestion imports of frozen and processed vegetables had declined markedly.
"If these statistics are accurate, this means people are buying more Australian produce - the message could be finally getting through," Mr Said said.
Victorian Potato Growers Council chair Des Jennings said the drop in frozen-potato imports was great news "if it's true".
"Companies are out to get potatoes here for the (cheapest price) they can - unless they're cheaper in Australia than overseas, I couldn't imagine they'd stop bringing them in," Mr Jennings said.
A drop in imports may not benefit local growers immediately as most were contracted to supply companies such as McCain, he said.
AusVeg declined to comment on the statistics, pending analysis and verification.
