At least 26 people are dead, more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed and around 6 million hectares of land were burned as bushfires continue in this country.
While bushfire has damaged vineyards, orchards and agricultural land, there is speculation that the price of necessary products may rise. However, Dr Sharif Rasel from the Flinders University said that the prices of beef and lamb have increased 5.7% and 13.5% respectively even before the bushfire.
Dr Sharif Rasel is a Lecturer of international business at Flinders University. He said SBS Bangla that prices were on the rise due to the worst drought in hundreds of years. Dr Sharif cited a recent report that the drought has affected more than 90% land of NSW. The drought has caused a decrease of the cattle herd in Queensland and NSW.
Dr Sharif said,
“Although the bushfire has damaged vineyards, orchards and agricultural land in SA, Victoria and NSW, the supply-side effect may not be significant. Such damage is unlikely to increase prices of fruits, wine and dairy products.”
However, he said that prices of vegetables, fruits and dairy products may increase due to logistics problem during the bushfire.
He said that some major roads in NSW and Victoria, and the highway between WA and SA were closed during the bushfire crisis, which caused failures to collect products from farmers and some delays to supply vegetables from WA to the East Coast and fruits and medicines from the East Coast to WA.
Dr Sharif Rasel is a Lecturer of international business at Flinders University. Source: Supplied
Thus, the prices of some goods have risen during the bushfire crisis.
But Dr Sharif told SBS that it is more of a logistics issue rather than a lack of supply. Thus, he thinks that the price hike will be temporary and there is nothing to worry about.
Dr Sharif requested the government to provide direct financial assistance to farmers and small businesses in regional areas affected by either bushfire or drought. He also suggested suppliers consider rail transport for long-distance transportation of essential goods.
Listen to Dr Sharif Rasel’s full interview (in Bangla) with SBS Bangla in the audio player above.
