TO say 'we are living in unprecedented times', is an understatement - 2020 has been a year that has tested the Industry's resilience.
The year began with the dreadful bushfires and, as we were recovering from that, a world-wide pandemic closing our national border and international markets and access to our regional work force.
If that wasn't enough, an outbreak of Mediterranean Fruit Fly in eight suburbs across metropolitan areas of Adelaide and the Qld fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland placed further pressure on the industry.
Against this backdrop, and the massive economic shock, the industry continued to be resilient and resourceful ensuring the continued supply of fresh produce to the community.
Amidst all these challenges the Industry celebrated a record year contributing $3.6 billion to the South Australian economy up from $3.2b in 2019 - representing a 12 per cent increase.
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Almonds, potatoes, cherries, strawberries, apples and pears led the charge with increased production and sales.
Not only did we meet supply, the industry continued its increasingly generous nature reaching a milestone 1.6 million kilograms of fresh produce donated to support the work of Foodbank SA in 2019-20 through the onsite facility at the SA Produce Market.
We continue to look at emerging industries, however it's important that governments understand that the Produce Markets and the horticultural industry will always underpin the SA economy.
Our industry does not entirely rely on China for exports as we are well diversified in the markets we supply.
It is for this reason biosecurity is one of the markets number one priorities in keeping the state fruit fly-free.
The Wholesale Market invested three quarters of a million dollars in ensuring growers can continue to sell to markets.
Hence why we encourage policy makers to invest further in industry biosecurity infrastructure, like the markets proposed biosecurity precinct, in ensuring we can continue to grow and meet the Industry and government's growth agenda, which will be a critical priority in 2021 and beyond.
In 2021 we look forward in working closely with the state government in the following six key strategic areas:
- Workforce/labour shortages and ethical labour sourcing
- Biosecurity - zero tolerance stance, end point treatment proposal and managing new and emerging biosecurity threats
- Business sustainability/profitability - cost of rates, taxes and Input costs
- Water - River Murray and ensure vegetable growers in the Northern part of Adelaide have access to affordable water through the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme
- New planning reform ensuring issues like netting are addressed
- Infrastructure projects such as flood mitigation, Northern Adelaide Plains
The Horticulture Coalition of SA will have a strategic review of originations structure in 2021 in order to ensure we strengthen the ability to address the six strategic areas for the Industry.
The pandemic will continue to put pressure on the industry into 2021, issues with availability of labour and biosecurity risks will continue to test our resilience.
But if farmgate values are an indicator, and the consumer confidence in the quality of SA produce remains, 2021 will once again be a year of opportunities.
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