THE Far North is poised to tap into the growing demand for organic produce with Dole Australia gearing up to increase production of organic banana. 

The international company, which is growing plots of organic banana in Walkamin on the Tableland and in the Daintree, said demand was outstripping production.

Production manager Marc Jackson told The Cairns Post organics was a healthy and sustainable industry to be in and the company planned to expand production.

In April/May, trials in organic pineapples will also get under way and already its bananas are selling in Woolworths stores and through organic wholesalers in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

"At the moment, we are getting about $20-24 a box and it costs about $30 a box to produce organic bananas but we see it as a long-term project,'' he said.

"It's the future we have to look at and we are looking at setting up a niche market and if we can get to the point to where we are producing  excellent quality bananas 52 weeks of the year, then people will pay for them.''

Mr Jackson said the company expected to achieve the right price and supply within a year and were confident the market was ready to go from strength to strength.

Organic Producers Association of Queensland president Keith Morris said organic sales world-wide were increasing at about 30 per cent a year as consumers become more concerned about the environment and seek out a healthy alternative.

"People are starting to realise the environment is important and organic farming really looks after the environment,'' he said.

"Consumers, now that organic food is getting cheaper and more readily available, are recognising the health benefits because so much chemicals are poured onto non-organic crops.''

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