Citrus Industry

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (15:16): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister please update the house on the recent Citrus SA launch?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his interest in this important industry. I appreciate their ongoing concerns about the citrus industry and supporting businesses both large and small.

I had the pleasure last week of officially launching the 2022 SA citrus season in Nuriootpa. Of course, this marks the official start of the citrus season. The event was held at Barossa Fresh in Nuriootpa and was attended by many stakeholders in the industry, including Mark Doecke, who is Chair of Citrus SA; Jeff Knispel, Managing Director of Nippy's; Angelo Demasi, CEO of the South Australian Produce Market; Dylan Murdoch, food division leader at Barossa Fresh; and of course the well-known Callum Hahn, who is a brand ambassador for Pick A Local, Pick SA! and a well-known former MasterChef contestant.

In fact, Callum did an amazing job of demonstrating making a soufflé. He made it look very easy, but I am glad to say he didn't encourage me to join in with that part, because that would have destroyed the soufflé in seconds, I'm quite sure.

I would like to congratulate both Citrus SA and Pick A Local, Pick SA! teams for organising this event because it raises both the profile and awareness of this valuable industry. Members may be aware that in 2020-21 the South Australian citrus industry produced 168,931 tonnes of citrus, with a farmgate value of $128 million. Of course, South Australia is a major producer of horticultural products and recognised for its excellence in environmentally clean, safe and advanced agricultural production.

Our produce has a reputation as some of the best in the world. I did have the opportunity, I am very pleased to say, to sit down and speak with some of these key stakeholders in the citrus industry and listen to their thoughts on how to continue to grow the citrus industry and to provide certainty for this key sector.

As members hopefully are aware, the citrus industry in recent years has faced many challenges including an extended period of workforce shortages, due in part to the restrictions on travel and migration as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased costs due to international factors and also increased costs to adhere to new movement protocols required by fruit fly outbreaks.

When speaking to members at the Citrus SA launch, I emphasised the importance that the state government has put on a strong and effective biosecurity system in our state. We know that it is essential for protecting South Australia's reputation for exceptional food and wine and for maintaining and increasing access to international and domestic markets. Members will be aware that South Australia is the only mainland state that remains fruit fly free, and that of course is thanks to combined efforts from both government and industry.

The Malinauskas Labor government remains committed to maintaining our fruit fly free status, and we are continuing the efforts to eradicate this pest from multiple sites in the Riverland, which is home to citrus production in South Australia. The citrus industry is vital to our state, is a key employer in the Riverland and provides an enormous economic output to the regions, and I am delighted that I was given the opportunity to launch the new season and celebrate all things citrus in our state.