Our fourth and final industry expert from our spring 2022 edition of SA Farmer. Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke chats all things citrus in the Riverland including varieties, labour, shipping and healthy trees.

What varieties of citrus are currently being harvested in the region, and which will be harvested over the summer? 

Most varieties are finished. There is just some late navels to go, and then valencia over summer.

Are growers confident in the quality and volume of fruit at this stage? 

We have had some skin quality problems this season due to the cold spring in 2021 and a very mild summer in 2022. 

We could have done with some warming to make the citrus more robust. This problem has been exacerbated by extended transit time to export markets.

What varieties are proving popular in international markets at the moment? 

Most of the varieties we grow are popular, from Washington navels to cara cara pink flesh navels and tango mandarins. The world wants what we grow

Is the number of available workers still a concern for growers heading into 2023? 

Labour was a lot better than in 2021, with only pockets of shortages in the Riverland. 

The biggest challenge was wading through the new Fair Work requirements to meet the new rules for employing piece workers.

Have recent wet conditions across the region been favourable for growers? 

Citrus always appreciates rain as long as the drainage is good. It’s an opportunity to remove some of the salt build up from the last five dry years.

Is the shipping of fruit overseas still a challenge for growers? 

Ships and container supply were still very tight in 2022, but the outlook is for a more favourable supply in 2023. 

What should growers be doing at this time to ensure healthy trees and fruit? 

Maintain irrigation infrastructure in case you need it this summer. Be aware that nitrogen can get leached out of soil with heavy rain, continue pruning and control the abundance of weeds we get in a wet period.