Farmers paying the price for dirt cheap strawberries

Customers may be rejoicing their favourite sweet treat is selling for as little as $1.50 per punnet – but farmers are seeing red.

Srawberries are at bargain basement prices due to a record oversupply across Queensland.

As Mandy Shultz from Luvaberry explains “to get the best price you’ve got to send the cream of the crop, the very big fruit that they think the people want”.

So after months of picking and planting, hundreds of thousands of berries simply go to waste.

She estimates her farm at Wamuran threw out a tonne last week alone.

“It’s very tough for a lot of growers,” Queensland Strawberry Growers Association vice-president Adrian Shultz said.

“The best quality fruit at rock bottom prices.”

Agriculture minister Mark Furner has urged Queenslanders to “get out there and support Queensland producers” by stocking up on the cheap fruit and freezing it.

It will last in the freezer for up to 12 months and is great in baking and smoothies.

"If you've got a big freezer fill them up and get your daiquiris for Christmas in order,” Ms Shultz said.