Fruit processor SPC’s return to the stock exchange after two decades represents a bet that the homegrown fruit processor can convince more Australians to buy local food products and stand up to supermarkets for a better deal.

This is despite Coles and Woolworths selling their private label products at lower prices, the most extreme example being imported tinned Italian diced tomatoes at $1.10, almost half the price of SPC’s Ardmona brand at $2.10 for a same-sized 400g tin.