The Wholesale Fruit Company

The Wholesale Fruit Company Ian’s 3 daughters Jodie, Kellie and Natasha were all born into the industry and actively worked as young ladies in their family owned shops.

The Wholesale Fruit Company is one of the longest running businesses at the Brisbane Markets that deals exclusively with the food industry supplying fresh fruit and vegetables as well as daily processed fresh product, eggs, nuts and juices. The Wholesale Fruit Company is one of the longest running businesses at the Brisbane Markets that deals exclusively with the food industry supplying fresh frui

t and vegetables as well as daily processed fresh product, eggs and juices. We pride ourselves that the owner, Ian Bensted and family have been in the industry since 1984, where Ian began in the retail side of the industry owning three fruit shops and then progressing into wholesale, supplying other shops and businesses outside of Brisbane. Kellie decided to go her own way, forging a separate career of her own. Ian combined his wholesaling business with The Wholesale fruit Company in 1995 and in 2005 he bought the entire company and then began shaping the business into the solid debt free business it is today. With Jodie taking on the bookkeeping role in 2005 and Natasha joining full-time in 2007 in customer relations, The Wholesale Fruit Company has flourished with the touches only a dedicated family can add to business.

Mandarins are available from around April to October.  The Afourer variety has kicked off the season and is now availabl...
07/04/2025

Mandarins are available from around April to October. The Afourer variety has kicked off the season and is now available to purchase via our app.

Afourer mandarins are medium-sized with a deep orange-red colour. They are easy to peel and typically seedless, though seed presence can vary based on growing conditions. The flesh is juicy with a sweet, honey-like flavor.

Available by the kilo or 9kg box.

Did you know that our friends at  grow their edible flowers from an aquaponic system?  An aquaponic flower system combin...
27/03/2025

Did you know that our friends at grow their edible flowers from an aquaponic system?

An aquaponic flower system combines aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) in a symbiotic environment.

Here’s how it works:

1. Fish Tank: The system starts with a fish tank where fish, like tilapia or goldfish, are raised. The fish produce waste, which is rich in nutrients, primarily ammonia, that are harmful to them but can be beneficial for plants.

2. Biofilter: The fish tank water, which contains ammonia, is pumped into a biofilter. In the biofilter, beneficial bacteria break down ammonia into nitrites and then into nitrates, which are essential nutrients for plant growth.

3. Plant Beds: The filtered water, now rich in nutrients, is then circulated to the plant beds, where flowers or other plants are grown. The roots of the plants absorb these nutrients for growth, purifying the water in the process.

4. Water Recirculation: After the water nourishes the plants, it is filtered and returned to the fish tank. This closed-loop system minimizes water usage, as the water is continuously recirculated, and it provides both the fish and plants with what they need to thrive.

5. Flowers Growth: In an aquaponic flower system, flowers benefit from the nutrient-rich water, growing more vigorously than they might in a traditional soil-based environment. The plants also help filter the water, creating a balanced ecosystem where both fish and plants thrive.

This system is efficient and sustainable, using minimal water while reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. It’s an eco-friendly way to grow flowers, especially when combined with the natural cycle of the ecosystem.

Pretty cool, right?

is a local, family owned business located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. We’re so lucky to be working with them to bring our customers the BEST quality edible flowers on the market.

Okay rain, you can go away now please!!  🙄 Shout out to our amazing WFC team for helping us get back up on our feet thes...
10/03/2025

Okay rain, you can go away now please!! 🙄

Shout out to our amazing WFC team for helping us get back up on our feet these past couple of days. To our valued customers - your support has also been incredible ♥️ It feels so good being back to regular programming 🙌🏼

So much uncertainty 🌀🤯We feel very confident with our decision to relocate.  We know how important the recovery is after...
05/03/2025

So much uncertainty 🌀🤯

We feel very confident with our decision to relocate. We know how important the recovery is after flash flooding. Being over prepared is key.

- Removal of stock
- Relocation
- Move delivery vehicles to higher ground
- Generator
- Getting stock out to our customers ASAP

We renovated back in 2019 and one of our top priorities during the design process was to make sure that our warehouse was fully flood proof. Mezzanine office, cold room refrigeration located above flood lines, internet and other important tech up high. So once we evacuate, if it floods - we clean and sanitize the walls & floors, we hook up a generator and we can move back into our warehouse ASAP. The recovery is key - with the ultimate outcome of minor disruption to both ours and our customers operations.

Being an essential service, we have a huge responsibility to maintain supply. Supply may be difficult over the coming weeks due to local farmers being affected by the cyclone and difficulties with debris and flooding on the roads affecting logistics.

We will be working closely with our suppliers to make sure that our customers have the stock that they need to maintain their operations. We will keep you updated on this situation as it unfolds.

Stay safe everyone!

We have unfortunately experienced two floods now - 2011 and 2022.  Experience has shown us that it’s better to be safe t...
04/03/2025

We have unfortunately experienced two floods now - 2011 and 2022. Experience has shown us that it’s better to be safe than sorry. We are relocating to higher ground. It’s business as per usual tomorrow and once all orders are dispatched we will be relocating. We will keep you updated as the situation unfolds.

Stay safe everyone!!

KIWIBERRIES 🤤 They’re here!  Kiwiberries are in season and now available to purchase via our app.  The season usually ru...
27/02/2025

KIWIBERRIES 🤤
They’re here! Kiwiberries are in season and now available to purchase via our app. The season usually runs from end of February until mid April.
With a high content of vitamins, minerals & antioxidants, these are the perfect little addition to brighten up a plate 🤩
Available in 125g punnets.

The North Queensland Custard Apple season has commenced!  A little bit expensive at this stage as they’re very early sea...
27/02/2025

The North Queensland Custard Apple season has commenced! A little bit expensive at this stage as they’re very early season, but the price will come back as the season progresses usually peaking in May/June. Available to purchase via our app today!

Monsoonal rains have caused multiple closures along the vital transport route, impacting banana supply.North Queensland ...
10/02/2025

Monsoonal rains have caused multiple closures along the vital transport route, impacting banana supply.
North Queensland alone accounts for more than 90% of the country’s banana production.
Supply shortages could also see the price of bananas spike, which has happened in the wake of past weather events.
We are working closely with our suppliers to ensure adequate supply, but this may last a couple of weeks.

We will keep you updated on the situation as we receive updates.

And that’s a wrap!  We celebrated the year that was today with half of our team.  It’s hard to get the night team and th...
20/12/2024

And that’s a wrap! We celebrated the year that was today with half of our team. It’s hard to get the night team and the day team together when they’re on two different sleep schedules 😅

Such a lovely celebration. We truly have the very best team. We’re so grateful & we appreciate everything they do. From buying, to stock receivals, to night picking and packing, to delivering the produce, to customer relations, to accounts and reception. Half of our team get up before the sun rises and the other half work until midnight to get the freshest produce delivered to our customers doors on time. It really does take a full team of dedicated, caring people! 😊

It’s been a huge year for us rolling out a new paperless picking system into our business. No more paper!!! The best!! It has completely streamlined our business. We are dedicated to evolving with technology and always looking at ways to improve our efficiency.

Thank you to all of our loyal and lovely customers for another busy year. We love doing what we do! 40 years of delivering fresh produce to your doors.

Merry Christmas from the Bensted Family and the team at The Wholesale Fruit Company 🎄

(Featuring Tash’s daughter - third generation fruitier and little Managing Director in the making 🥰)

Address

385 Sherwood Road
Rocklea, QLD
4106

Opening Hours

Monday 4am - 12pm
Tuesday 4am - 12pm
Wednesday 4am - 12pm
Thursday 4am - 12pm
Friday 4am - 12pm
Saturday 4am - 12pm

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