Cost Recovery in a Mandatory Code of Conduct

Senator Glenn Sterle questioned Jeremy Cass, CEO of Riverina Winegrape Growers, about the organisation's expectations for a mandatory code of conduct, particularly regarding cost recovery. Jeremy Cass noted that cost recovery is a supply and demand issue, and while it may not be directly addressed in the code, the organisation seeks government help to reset the market and ease bulk market pressure. The discussion highlighted the need for a code to protect growers from issues like oversupply, and to enable wineries to sell products at a price that allows growers to recover costs. Reducing old sale wine to release bulk market pressure was also discussed as a way to help growers achieve cost recovery. The key findings centre on the need for a code to address current market issues and protect growers, with expectations including measures to alleviate oversupply and ensure fair prices.