Fruit and vegetable growers are a step closer to accessing cheaper treatment options for potential pests, as well as increased flexibility for markets with construction starting on the state's new biosecurity precinct.
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Stage one is under way at the SA Produce Markets in Pooraka for the $50 million site - the first of its kind in the state.
SA Produce Markets chief executive officer Angelo Demasi said having a designated site within SA would save on an estimated $6 million to $8m in transport costs per load to have fruit treated in either Qld or Victoria, especially during the present fruit fly outbreak.
But he said having the local facility would also give growers more flexibility on potential markets.
"This facility will play a pivotal role when we have outbreaks in SA, like we have currently in the city of Salisbury and parts of the Riverland," he said.
"It will mean growers from those regions can send product here, treat the product and ensure local South Australian producers can enjoy local produce, and not having to send it to Victoria and Qld either for sale or for treatment and coming back, costing growers a lot of money on transport."
Mr Demasi said the products in the outbreak areas of the Riverland and Salisbury were not able to be sold in other areas of SA, Tas, WA or overseas, without being inspected or treated.
He said the recent Salisbury outbreak had produce sent interstate, leading to a shortage within SA and prices of $14 or $15 a kilogram for eggplants.
"That's an example of what can occur if you don't have these supply chains cleared up," he said.
Stage one, due for completion in April 2025, will set up the initial treatment site, while stage two, expected in 2026, will offer even more treatment options.
Blubuilt has been awarded the $8.8m contract for stage one.
Mr Demasi estimated, based on eastern state prices, the cost to growers for treatment in SA would be about $800 for a 20 pallet fumigation, but there would be savings on transport.
"But especially product going to WA - since there is no in-state treatment, we've closed that market," he said.
"Product either has to go to Vic, Qld then off to WA."
Mr Demasi said, even during times when there are no pest outbreaks within SA, the facility would still have a use with transhipment and as a checking product as a quality assurance facility.
He said it would also be suited for products going to WA or certain export markets.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven affirmed the government was still optimistic about getting the state's fruit fly-free status and controlling the recent outbreaks, with $43 million allocated in state Budget for the next two years.
She said the present outbreak in the Riverland was due to be lifted in December, if there are no more detections.
""It's important to know we have gotten on top of fruit fly in the past," she said.
"A number of the areas in the Riverland have not had detections in many months."
Elizabeth Anderson
Editor of Stock Journal.
Editor of Stock Journal.
