Riverland grape growers face industry crisis in South Australia

Grape growers in South Australia’s Riverland region are facing a severe industry downturn, with some reporting grape prices at levels not seen since the 1970s. Jack Papageorgiou, a grower with over five decades of experience, has announced his intention to retire and sell his Cooltong property due to the unsustainable nature of the current market.

Growers have faced a combination of rising production costs and plummeting prices, forcing some to inject significant personal savings to maintain operations. While the South Australian government recently announced a $109 million support package—including loans of up to $500,000 to assist with transitioning to alternative crops—long-term growers argue the assistance has arrived too late to prevent the loss of established livelihoods.

The economic pressure has led to an increase in vacant land in areas that were previously dominated by vineyards, as many farmers make the commercial decision to exit the industry.