Coles to Cease Stocking Local Bananas at Coffs Harbour Store, Angering Growers

Banana growers on the Coffs Coast are reeling from Coles' decision to delist their fruit from the supermarket's Coffs Harbour store — a store located in the town that proudly hosts the Big Banana, a major tourist attraction celebrating the region's banana industry.

Farmers say they were given little warning and no clear explanation for the move. "We're the home of the Big Banana, and yet our own local supermarket won't stock our bananas," said one grower who asked not to be named. "It doesn't make sense to us. We've supplied them for years."

Coles stated that the decision was part of a broader review of its fresh produce sourcing to improve consistency and reduce supply chain complexity. The company insisted it continues to support Australian growers, and that bananas from other regions — likely Queensland's far north — will fill the shelves instead. A spokesperson said: "We remain committed to Australian farmers, but we must ensure our supply chain is efficient and reliable for customers."

The move has sparked local backlash, with community members and the Coffs Harbour Banana Growers Association calling on Coles to reverse the decision. Some shoppers have threatened to boycott the store. The controversy highlights the tension between major retailers' drive for cost efficiency and their stated commitments to local sourcing and regional economies.

For Coffs Coast growers, the loss of a major retail outlet represents a significant revenue hit. Many are already squeezed by rising input costs and competition from larger plantations. "Supermarkets have enormous market power," said agricultural economist Dr. Meera Patel. "When they delist a local product, it sends a signal that can be devastating for a region's agricultural identity."

Coles has not ruled out reinstating the local bananas, but has given no timeframe for a review. The company faces a delicate balancing act between operational logistics and community goodwill.

Why This Matters

The decision directly affects the livelihoods of Coffs Coast banana farmers, who rely on local supermarket distribution as a key sales channel.
It challenges the narrative of supermarket support for local producers, especially in a region whose identity is tied to banana growing.
The outcome could set a precedent for how major retailers handle regional sourcing decisions, influencing similar moves in other agricultural communities.

Background

Coffs Harbour has long been synonymous with banana production in Australia. The region's subtropical climate and fertile soils made it a banana-growing powerhouse, with the iconic Big Banana tourist attraction symbolising that heritage. However, the Australian banana industry has been under pressure for decades from cheaper imports and consolidation of production into larger, more efficient plantations in far north Queensland. Supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths dominate fresh produce retailing, and their procurement decisions can make or break regional growers. In recent years, Coles has increasingly centralised its supply chain to ensure year-round consistency, often favouring larger suppliers over smaller local ones. This decision at Coffs Harbour appears to be the latest example of that trend.

Key Perspectives

Local banana growers: They feel betrayed by Coles, arguing that the store's location in the home of the Big Banana should guarantee local produce on shelves. They fear losing a stable income stream and worry about the long-term viability of their farms without a major retail outlet. Coles: The supermarket says the change is driven by supply chain efficiency and product consistency. It maintains it still supports Australian farmers overall, and that customers will still get high-quality bananas from other Australian regions. Critics and community advocates: Consumer groups and local politicians argue that the decision prioritises corporate efficiency over regional economic resilience. They point out that the Big Banana's brand depends on local banana farming, and that Coles risks alienating community-minded shoppers who want to buy local.

What to Watch

Whether Coles offers a formal review or timeline for potentially reinstating local bananas.
The response from shoppers: will there be a sustained boycott or decline in store traffic?
Any intervention from local or state government, such as a push for stricter local sourcing requirements under retail codes of conduct.

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