Media Releases
Adelaide Produce Market supports ban on NZ apples
Release Date: August 19, 2011
The Adelaide Produce Market welcomes the actions shown by Agriculture Minister, Michael O’Brien in seeking legal advice to stop the importation of New Zealand apples and protect the states apple industry. Furthermore, the Market will be throwing its weight behind Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire when he introduces his Private Members Bill later next month.
“Importing apples from New Zealand into South Australia does nothing for our economy, provides little consumer benefit and has the potential to damage the biosecurity of our local horticulture industry,” Adelaide Produce Market CEO Angelo Demasi said.
“South Australia is renowned for growing premium apples and this industry plays a significant part in our local economy and job creation,” Mr Demasi said.
This comes as the majority of apple merchants based at the Adelaide Produce Market today rejected the idea of selling New Zealand apples, vowing to support local producers and continue exclusively supplying Australian grown apples to independent supermarkets and local greengrocers. Apple merchants clearly stated that while there is still doubt over whether NZ apples carry fireflight, no NZ apples will be coming out of the Adelaide Produce Market.
“One of the States leading apple merchants who employs up to 260 staff, outright rejected the idea of selling NZ apples,” Mr Demasi said.
The Adelaide Produce Market is South Australia's centre for the distribution and marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables. Located in Pooraka, this commercial market allows for the exchange and sale of fresh fruit and vegetables between growers, wholesalers, supermarkets, greengrocers, food processors, exporters and providores. An estimated 185,000 tonnes of fresh produce passed through the Adelaide Produce Market system each year, with an estimated wholesale value of $600 million.
