At least 60 workers could miss out on their full entitlements after Australia’s largest tomato grower went into voluntary administration.

A triple whammy has brought SP Exports to its knees.

It has placed its operations at Childers, near Bundaberg in southern Queensland, and in Victoria, in the hands of administrators.

The company has been hit by two chemical oversprays from nearby properties, last year’s floods, and low prices since 2001.

Sixty Childers workers were lost their jobs on Friday, with only a skeleton staff kept on to help administrators.

A creditors meeting will be held in the town later this month, but the outlook is not bright for workers and unsecured creditors.

SP Exports had crops at Childers, Bundaberg and Echuca in Victoria.

KordaMentha partner John Shanahan said the company would try to trade out of its difficulties.

“We have to do an investigation to determine whether or not that is possible,” he told AAP.

Mr Shanahan said the company would pursue a potential $ 2.5 million insurance claim over the two chemical oversprays which ruined tomato crops.

But the company has debts of around $ 31 million.

“Preliminary investigations indicate unsecured creditors are owed approximately $ 12.5 million and secured creditors are owed $ 18 million,” he said.

“Employees are owed in excess of $ 500,000, however, assets available to meet unsecured creditors and employee claims are minimal.

“Administrators are currently trading in a limited capacity and are reviewing all future harvests and decisions in that regard.”

Growcom, the peak representative body for Queensland horticulture, said it was tragic to see such a large operation in trouble.

“We’re hoping that SP can trade its way out, sooner rather than later,” chief executive Alex Livingstone said.

“Just a couple of weeks ago there was a major glut of produce on the market.

“Growing conditions along the east coast have been pretty good and that’s led to an abundance of product, and as the supply increases the price goes down.”

SP Exports put more than 1160 hectares of farm land and four homes at Childers on the market last December as the company’s owners battled to keep it running.

Calls to SP Exports were not returned.

Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes With Green Peppers, Celery And Onion, 14.5-Ounce Units (Pack of 12)
Hunt’s tomato-based products have been staples in American kitchens for more than 100 years, from canned tomatoes, pasta sauces, a…

3 – Pk. Tomato Craters
Bigger tomatoes, faster, with a 3 – Pk. of Tomato Craters! SAVE BIG! It’s so simple, but the result is so clear… healthier, more…

The Heirloom Tomato: From Garden to Table: Recipes, Portraits, and History of the World’s Most Beautiful Fruit
From the world-class garden of acclaimed food writer Amy Goldman, a gorgeously illustrated guide to the world’s most beautiful a…