South Australian Citrus Launch Marks Start of 2022 Season

 May 25, 2022 | Media Release

A celebratory event at Barossa Fresh Nurioopta today will officially launch the 2022 SA grown citrus season as fresh produce shelves across the State begin to fill with new season shades of orange from the Riverland. 

The Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, will be in attendance to cut the red ribbon to officially launch the 2022 SA grown citrus season and Masterchef Callum Hann will prepare a citrus souffle at the citrus themed event.

The season has kicked off with great coloured navel oranges coming in from the Riverland along with new season Mandarins.

South Australian Produce Market CEO, Angelo Demasi, said “It is always great to see a new variety of locally grown fruit coming into the market as it signifies a change of season and a new line of local produce for consumers to enjoy.”

“Citrus has a gross revenue value of some $388 million per annum in South Australia.  The industry is a major contributor to the local economy with an expected growth target of $474 million by the year 2030.” Mr Demasi said.

Weather conditions during the growing period have resulted in brightly coloured fruit which according to growers translates to flavour.

Citrus SA Chair, Mark Doecke, said “South Australian citrus is now available and starting to come into good supply with the first of the season navel oranges and satsuma mandarins being picked. The cold spring of 2021 has meant a later start to the 2022 season, but that will translate into an above average crop load full of flavour.”

New this season being grown in South Australia is a variety of blood orange – the Ippolito. The blood orange has a very unique flavour with both the flesh and skin blushed red when ripe. Consumers will see the new variety in stores later in June when the first picks start.

Penny Reidy, Pick a Local, Pick SA! Campaign Manager said, “A great way for the community to support our SA citrus growers is through the simple act of purchasing citrus when they can this season. Filled with Vitamin C citrus provide a great immunity boost during winter, oranges play a key role in half time energy boosts for kids winter sports and mandarins are a great addition to a lunchbox for school or work.”

Photo / Vision opportunities

11am – 11:45am	Callum Hann cooking demonstration in store citrus souffle
11:45 am	Official opening ceremony with ribbon cutting.  Hon Clare Scriven MLC, Angelo Demasi – CEO SA Produce Market, Mark Doecke – Citrus SA, Jeff Knispel – Nippy’s.
11am – 12pm	General citrus themed displays and activities.  Mr Squeezy – Orange Mascot, citrus Sampling, Public enjoying locally grown citrus.

 

For Media Enquiries Contact Sophie Hula Media: 0418 697 351

About Pick A Local, Pick SA!

Pick a Local, Pick SA is a South Australian based campaign run by Market Fresh SA. The South Australian Produce Market and SA Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables Industries have come together to form Market Fresh to highlight the important role the independent retail sector play in the local horticulture industry. The independent retail sector consists of local business owned by local South Australian families who source the bulk of their produce from local growers.

The Pick a Local, Pick SA campaign reminds customers that when they see this logo, they can feel assured that they are not only buying fresh produce that was handpicked this morning from growers and wholesalers at the South Australian Produce Market. They are also supporting local businesses, local families, local growers, local communities, local jobs, the local industry, and the local economy.

The campaign consists of extensive print and social media advertising, regular competitions, and in-store promotional activities.

As of 2018, Pick A Local, Pick SA! is working with national brand ‘A Better Choice’ to extend the reach of the campaign to truly support all of Australia.  www.pickalocalpicksa.com.au

For media enquiries or interviews please contact Penny Reidy 0408 877 797 penny@saproducemarket.com.au