SA PRODUCE MARKET AND GOVERNMENT BACK $50M BIOSECURITY PRECINCT TO GROW AND PROTECT STATE’S HORTICULTURAL INDUSTRY

Pooraka, South Australia – The South Australian Produce Market (SAPML), together with the State and Federal Governments, today announce the development of a $50 million biosecurity facility which will open up significant opportunities in South Australia.

The South Australian fruit and vegetable industry is to take an important step forward with a new $50 million biosecurity precinct to be built at the heart of the industry at the SA Produce Market in Pooraka.

The industry led initiative is funded through $9.8 million in Federal Government funding, $4.2 million from the State Government and $36 million from industry. The facility will use pressure cooling and treatment technology and will be the largest scale, multi-treatment and inspection facility in South Australia.

The State and Federal government supported project is an investment to greatly benefit South Australian producers, opening new international markets to unlock an additional $100 million in fresh produce exports over five years and creating up to 172 direct and indirect on-going jobs within the regions and at the vibrant market site.

CEO of SA Produce Market, Angelo Demasi, applauded the project as “a valuable tool in our toolbox, ensuring the continued supply of our produce both domestically and internationally’’ as he extended the SA industry’s sincere gratitude to the State and Federal government for their $14M support in the creation of this biosecurity precinct.

“South Australia has faced challenges with fruit fly outbreaks in recent years. This nation leading biosecurity precinct will allow us to inspect, quarantine, and treat produce from affected areas, safeguarding our industry and ensuring a stable supply chain.”

“It will enable industry to introduce state-of-the-art post-harvest treatment service with pressure cooling and treatment technology, vital for exporting South Australian produce globally. It is a significant step towards making our produce more competitive and sustainable.’’

Mr Demasi also said the introduction of these innovative post-harvest treatment technologies would make South Australia an attractive destination for global companies looking to establish a presence in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening both our position in the global market and our local economy.

The state-of-the-art biosecurity precinct, to be built on the site of the SA Produce Market at Burma Road, Pooraka, will play a vital role in protecting the state’s $1.4 billion horticultural industry.

“While we will be creating export opportunities for our growers, we will also be guarding the state against the effects of disease outbreak in the region as well as creating 172 direct and indirect ongoing jobs,” Mr Demasi said.

Our Riverland has enjoyed fruit fly free status for many years however every year has been a challenge for SA Producers. In 2020 and 2021, SA went through a Med Fly outbreak in Pooraka and the suburbs, and we now have a prolonged Q Fly outbreak in parts of the Riverland.

In a worst-case scenario, an outbreak occurring in the Northern Adelaide Plains is estimated to cost the State of 1265 jobs and $374 million.

“The lack of our own local treatment facility in South Australia has significantly impacted our grower’s ability to sell to certain markets in times of outbreak. There has only been one year in the past sixteen years without an outbreak within SA or our regions which means the treatments available via this precinct will be vital to the future growth and reputation of our industry” said Demasi.

Fourth Generation cherry, apple and pear grower Joyce Ceravolo commented, “At the moment South Australian producers need to send produce to Victoria or Queensland for sale or treatment. This new facility is set to reduce those transport costs and improve profitability for SA producers.

We are really excited about the opportunity for South Australian consumers as well as new overseas customers, it will allow them to get more of our produce more efficiently and will be even fresher and tastier with the added benefit of a reduced environmental impact due to less time on the road “

The project will establish a post-harvest treatment service with pressure cooling and treatment technology. Both are required to enable export of all South Australian produce to all overseas destinations.

In the longer term this biosecurity precinct will provide for a more sustainable alternative and has the ability to increase shelf life of fresh produce for export purposes and grow key industries identified by the State Government such as health and medical.

This world leading new fresh produce treatment facility at the SA Produce Market will increase the State’s value proposition for international companies to view us as a place to have a presence, be that in a manufacturing sense or from a significant operations perspective to service industry and customers in the broader Asia-Pacific region.