Citrus Australia - SA Regional Wrap

05-Jul-2013

SURVEY RESULTS

We would like to thank all growers who participated in our recent online survey to identify potential issues in the South Australian citrus industry. This is one of the tools that we will use going forward to best identify, address and communicate key issues with the Citrus Industry as a whole. Over 50% of the growers responded to the brief survey which is a fantastic result. In coming weeks we will circulate a similar survey asking more in depth questions which we identified as a concern to growers. All surveys are confidential with the SA committee not knowing individual’s responses but rather a result that shows a group response to issues of mutual concern.

Most of the questions involving communication from packers indicated that the majority of growers are very happy with the information that they receive from their packers. Some of the question involving indicative prices and pack out information and timing showed more mixed results which require a more in depth investigation.

We will be emailing the full results of the survey to all the growers on our database. As part of our communication strategy we urge you to contact the SA committee at the address on the bottom of this column if you would like the full results of this survey or want to be a part of future communication from us. One of the challenges we face as the new Citrus body for South Australia is that we do not have access to the Citrus board’s huge database of information which includes grower contact details.

TRIP TO THE ADELAIDE PRODUCE MARKET

On Monday July 1st the SA citrus committee travelled to the Adelaide Produce Market where we were hosted by and taken on a tour with the Market’s CEO Angelo Demasi and their Marketing and Business Development manager Julian Carbone. Senator Anne Ruston also joined us on the tour which was greatly valued. It was a great opportunity to meet with wholesalers which are key stakeholders of the citrus industry. We had some good discussions with most of the citrus wholesalers on their shop floors and covered the positive aspects of the industry along with the challenges they face as wholesalers. We also had an opportunity to sample a large range of citrus and it was obvious to us so early on in the morning how superior the South Australian Citrus produce is compared to fruit from our interstate counterparts. Discussions also took place with the Angelo and Julian on how we could work more closely together and develop strategies together moving forward for the benefit of the SA citrus industry.

We thank Angelo & Julian for taking their valuable time to meet with us as a committee and also thank Senator Ruston for joining us on the morning and listening to the committees issues regarding the citrus industry in SA.

ADELAIDE SHOW

Plans for the citrus display at this year’s Royal Adelaide show are moving forward at a rapid rate. We are looking for growers to volunteer to participate in the popular ‘meet the grower’ initiative. Please register your interest with the SA committee. It is a small commitment and if people are planning to visit the show this year and would like you to be involved as it will be greatly appreciated.

MDBA MEETING

As chair of the SA Citrus committee I was invited along with other Riverland stakeholders to meet with the Murray Darling Basin Authority socio/economic committee in Renmark last week. The meeting was a first point of contact with representatives on how they could measure key indicators in regions like the Riverland and how they could assess the impact of the Murray Darling Basin Plan in our region. They undertook to come back with a more detailed approach and will be in touch shortly with groups such as the Citrus Australia – SA Region committee to gain a more detailed understanding of our Industry. We will keep Industry informed of any further information that is provided to us going forward.

CITRUS GROWERS FUND MANAGEMENT PLAN

The updated five year management plan that serves as a mandate for the Citrus Australia – SA Region committee is now available on the PIRSA website at the following link
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/horticulture/citrus/citrus_growers_fund

SEASON UPDATE

A quick ring around to some of the Riverland packers and various growers in the last couple of weeks revealed that most people we spoke to are positive about the start to the season. Most growers have finished early Navel varieties and Washington’s are well underway. Early indicative prices are showing an increase from last year on many varieties and the quality of the fruit is reported to be good. Some of the comments received indicated that demand for exports was promising but the domestic market was a bit more challenging.

If you have questions about anything in this week’s column or an issue that you would like discussed please contact the Chair Con Poulos at saregion@citrusaustralia.com.au

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