Ongoing disruptions from industrial action at Australian ports are costing exporters millions of dollars in lost international trade and carving a hole in the nation's international reputation, farmers say.
Dubai based DP World, which runs several port terminals across Australia, has been locked in a long-running dispute with unions over pay, with employees taking part in stop works since last year.
The protected industrial action has involved workers shutting down DP World's terminals on certain days, causing delays.
Ben Walker from Delroy Orchards in Western Australia said the industrial dispute left his produce stranded at Fremantle Port.
"We got stuck with six containers sitting at the wharf ... we pulled them back off the wharf after the vessel had been sitting out in the straits waiting to be unloaded and reloaded for over two weeks," he said.
Around 600,000 avocados destined for Asia and the new market of Thailand had to be redistributed to the Australian market.
"We've lost millions of dollars in international revenue," the grower told AAP.
Australia's second largest port operator told a Senate inquiry into workplace laws on Monday the dispute was leading to a backlog of more than 54,000 shipping containers as well as an $84 million weekly hit to the economy.
There are fears the ongoing dispute, has damaged Australia's reputation especially in markets like India.
Access to the subcontinent opened up last year for Australian Hass avocados with production forecast to increase to 170,000 tonnes a year by 2026.
"The interruptions that we're now experiencing, or lack of vessels ... I don't think is putting us (Australia) in a good light," Mr Walker said.
Avocados Australia boss John Tyas said the dispute is threatening hard-won international contracts.
"It's really impacting on our reputation as as a reliable supplier into our key export markets," the avocados boss said.
Unions have called for a 16 per cent pay rise for DP World staff to bring salaries into line with fellow stevedore Patrick. DP World has previously said its port workers are in the top 10 per cent of earners in Australia.
Australia's peak farming body said farmers are stuck in the middle.
"We’re constantly being held hostage by these long running disputes at the ports," National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke says.
"This goes to the heart of our economic productivity."
Grain growers are also impacted.
“We’re hearing more and more members raise concerns about food potentially rotting on the docks while this dispute goes on," Moree grain grower Matthew Madden said.
The Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC) wants the government to step in and bring all affected stakeholders to the table.
Australia exported $15 billion of beef, lamb and goat meat to more than 100 markets in the last financial year.
"Our inventory is starting to buckle under the weight of trying to get that product out of here, and is also having a major impact on brand Australia," the council's CEO Patrick Hutchinson said.
However, workplace minister Tony Burke, who has been critical of DP World's handling of the dispute, said he has met with both sides but won't be interfering.
"I have no intention of intervening," Mr Burke said in mid-January.
"I've made clear that I have an expectation that they will reach agreement."
DP World and the Maritime Union of Australia remained in a media blackout on Wednesday.
