$50M biosecurity treatment facility for South Australia set to boost horticulture exports
South Australia’s first, state-of-the-art biosecurity facility based in Pooraka, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs will, upon completion, unlock an additional $100 million in fresh produce exports for the state, over a five-year period.
Announced by the South Australian Government and the Federal Government, along with the South Australian Produce Market, the post-harvest treatment facility will provide inspection, quarantine and the treatment of fruit and vegetable produce, which is vital for exporting South Australia’s produce globally.
Creating up to 172 direct and indirect ongoing jobs, the facility will also assist in cost reduction for the state’s primary producers who currently must send their produce to Victoria or Queensland for treatment. The new facility will reduce transport costs and improve profitability for South Australian producers, in turn, lowering product wastage and helping to reduce produce costs at the supermarket.
The industry-led initiative has been funded through $9.8 million in Federal Government funding, $4.2 million from the South Australian Government and $36 million from industry. The facility, the largest multi-scale treatment and inspection facility in the state, will establish a post-harvest treatment service with pressure cooling and treatment technology, both of which are necessary to export South Australian produce to more overseas destinations.
To be built on the site of the South Australian Produce Market at Burma Road, Pooraka, the facility will play a vital role in protecting and expanding the state’s growing $1.4 billion horticultural industry.
“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the State and Federal Government for their support in the creation of this biosecurity precinct, an investment that will greatly benefit South Australian producers, consumers and our local economy,” said South Australian Produce Market CEO, Angelo Demasi.
“SA Produce Market is excited to host this world-leading precinct which will enable our industry to access state-of-the-art post-harvest treatment services, enabling us to deliver quality local produce even more efficiently and sustainability to our South Australian customers.
“In addition, this project also represents a significant step towards making our produce even more attractive to our existing global customers.
“Through the introduction of this game-changing biosecurity precinct, South Australia will soon become an attractive destination for global produce companies looking to establish a presence in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening our industry’s position in the global market, creating even more jobs, and making additional contributions to our state’s economy.”
The biosecurity facility will ensure produce coming from fruit fly impacted areas within the state are able to be inspected, quarantined, and treated if required, before produce is distributed overseas and to retailers across South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Construction on the facility will commence in February 2024 and will also support and grow key industries such as health and medical.
The biosecurity facility will ensure produce coming from fruit fly impacted areas within the state are able to be inspected, quarantined, and treated if required, before produce is distributed overseas and to retailers across South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Construction on the facility will commence in February 2024 and will also support and grow key industries such as health and medical.