Crippling costs force family to close mushroom farm after 45 years

After 45 years in operation, a family-owned commercial mushroom farm on Queensland's Sunshine Coast is set to close its gates. Steve and Joanne Willemse, owners of SjW Mushrooms, have made the difficult decision to cease operations due to escalating costs, which have led to significant weekly losses.

"It's got to the stage now where we're not making any money at all, we're actually losing money," Ms. Willemse stated, revealing they are losing about $10,000 per week on average. To keep the business afloat, the couple had already downsized their operations, sold an apartment, and liquidated an investment property intended for their retirement. Despite their efforts, the financial strain has become insurmountable.

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It's got to the stage now where we're not making any money at all, we're actually losing money.

SjW Mushrooms supplies IGA supermarkets, along with numerous fruit shops and markets. Ms. Willemse explained that while the price of a box of mushrooms has remained relatively stable over the past two decades, the costs associated with growing them have dramatically increased. She also cited price hikes influenced by the Iran war as a contributing factor to their financial hardship. "People are not buying mushrooms because they're expensive. The fruit shops, they're struggling as well," she added, describing the situation as a "vicious cycle."

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On average, we're losing about $10,000 a week.

The Willemse family has a long history in mushroom farming in Queensland, dating back to the 1950s. Steve and Joanne took over their own farm 15 years ago, expanding it to Chevallum a year later. The farm, which once employed 65 staff, has reduced its workforce to 15. The impending closure has deeply affected the long-serving employees, many of whom have been with the family since the beginning. The couple's adult children, who assisted in running the farm, now also face the need to find new employment, dashing hopes that the next generation would take over the family business.

Adam Forbes, from wholesale fruit and vegetable supplier The Produce Partner, expressed devastation at the farm's closure, noting that they received up to a tonne of mushrooms from SjW Mushrooms weekly. He described them as a "great local farm" and anticipates the closure will significantly impact the local supply chain. The last mushrooms are expected to be picked within the next week.

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People are not buying mushrooms because they're expensive. The fruit shops, they're struggling as well. It's a vicious cycle.