The crush is up five per cent at 1.93 million tonnes and the average national purchase price the highest since 2008, however Riverina growers fetch the lowest price as a region at $333 per tonne. 

Local grower from Borambola wines, Tim McMullen said he’s seen an improvement. 

“For the first time we didn’t have problems selling fruit, buyers were chasing us instead of us constantly chasing them,” he said. 

“It’s been a hard struggle, for mixed-farmers with cattle and sheep markets so strong there were real questions about whether it was worth it to stay in the game.”

“But the price increase is good for growers and should translate to a better market.”