Media Releases
Calling on all levels of Government to do more…
Release Date: June 03, 2011
In the wake of the growing market share of Coles and Woolworths, lucrative land development rezoning, water security and the increased presence of imported produce, the Adelaide Produce Market is calling on all levels of Government to do more to protect the Australian horticultural industry.
“The local South Australian horticulture industry is worth $885.6 million at the farm gate and employs over 37,000 permanent and seasonal staff. We are an important and essential sector that feeds South Australians and keeps our economy strong,” Adelaide Produce Market CEO Angelo Demasi said.
Partnering with the Horticultural Coalition and the “Don’t Sell Australia Short” Facebook campaign led by Leon Byner, the Adelaide Produce Market is calling on all levels of Government to introduce increase investment in infrastructure, reduce taxation and introduce specific policies to ensure the industry survives and remains competitive on a global scale.
“Our industry is built on local farming families and communities, sometimes going back several generations in the same family. However all of this is at risk – we are struggling to keep existing farmers and even fewer are entering the industry” Mr Demasi said.
“We want to see future generations eating lots of fresh produce that was grown in Australia by an Australian-owned and operated farm. I fear the day when all our produce is imported or grown by farms owned by large overseas investment firms. When produce is owned by foreign companies, our own national food security is at risk. We need farms to remain in Australian hands that will have Australia’s best interest at heart,” Mr Demasi said.
The Adelaide Produce Market is South Australia’s only commercial wholesale market, and is the vital link in bringing local farmers, wholesalers, greengrocers and independent supermarkets together each morning for the exchange and sale of fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Our merchants only import when consumers require an out-of-season product line, such as cherries, asparagus, garlic which are not available this time of year. However this makes up a very small percentage, currently only 5.9% of all fresh produce lines,” Mr Demasi said.
“Consumers should be aware of where their fresh produce comes from. While most of the fresh produce that’s comes through the Adelaide Produce Market is locally grown, consumers should check my asking their greengrocer and fresh produce manager” Mr Demasi said.
“I am extra cautious of the so-called ‘local produce’ contained in frozen pre-packed meals, and ask consumers to read the labels carefully”, Mr Demasi said.
“The 30-year Plan for Greater Adelaide makes mention of a draft policy for protecting Adelaide’s food bowl but we are very interested to see how this is going to be achieved and what specific action is going to be undertaken”, Mr Demasi said.
Media enquiries:
Julian Carbone – Marketing & Business Development Manager
(08) 8349 4493, 0408 877 797
