Cherry Season Auction

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:19): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Can the minister tell the council about the 2023 annual cherry auction and season launch?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:19): I am delighted to be able to update the chamber. This morning, I had the opportunity to visit the South Australian Produce Market to officially launch the 2023 cherry season in South Australia. Cherries are a Christmas favourite, and I am pleased to advise members in this place that the season is on track to be a good one, despite the storms recently—this week—and supply will be plentiful, with the peak of the season being close to when festive celebrations are in full swing. We can all look forward to a centrepiece bowl of glossy local South Australian cherries.

Our cherry industry contributes considerably to the South Australian economy. In 2022, our cherry production was valued at $20 million, while producing over 2,100 tonnes. South Australia is home to over 100 cherry producing enterprises which manage 590 hectares of fruit, with around 90 per cent of that grown in the Adelaide Hills.

Of course, with the announcement recently of the $50 million biosecurity precinct there is enormous potential to increase cherry exports directly out of South Australia in the future to international markets such as Vietnam, which I understand are extremely eager to secure more premium South Australian cherries.

To celebrate the start of the 2023 South Australian cherry season, South Australia's wholesale fruit and vegetable market community participated in the annual cherry auction. The winner of the 2023 cherry auction, the Cherry Queen, is Christine Scalzi, who successfully bid a staggering $60,000 for the five-kilogram box, which beat last year's successful bid of $50,000.

This year's successful bid equates to a premium of $12,000 a kilogram. But with plentiful supply, consumers at the checkout will, of course, be paying far, far less. Christine Scalzi, the winning bidder, was supported by a number of sponsors including the Ceravolos, Bache Bros, the Romeo Foundation, Mario Romaldi, Bentleys, the William Buck Foundation, the South Australian Produce Market, Radio Italiana and other silent parties who all contributed to the final donation.

The charity of choice this year was Variety, which supports children and their families who are facing many challenges through sickness, disadvantage or disability. They provide important resources such as mobility equipment, wheelchairs, medical items and therapy services and also a broader program of support for disadvantaged children, partnering with organisations such as Foodbank. I have no doubt the proceeds raised today will go to great use.

I want to take this opportunity to thank both Mr Angelo Demasi, CEO of the South Australian Produce Market, and Ms Joanna Andrew, chair of the South Australian Produce Market, for the invitation to attend today and participate in this wonderful event. Once again, I congratulate the industry on this wonderful initiative and may you all enjoy premium South Australian cherries during this festive period.