High freight costs and fierce competition for space hit agricultural importers and exporters

Agricultural businesses are grappling with significant increases in international freight costs amid fierce competition for space and ongoing disruption to pre-COVID travel arrangements.

Tasmanian rural equipment and feed supplier Tony Williams said a container from China was US$6,000 more expensive than the highest price he had ever seen in his 15 years as an importer.

“It’s not really a China trade issue. It’s shipping lines taking advantage of us,” he said.

Mr Williams said higher…