Riverland future in food and wine

Submitted 19/11/2009

www.southaustralia.biz

The State Government has reassured the Riverland region that it will continue to play a major role in the supply of food and wine, despite the announcement by National Foods to phase out production at its Berri site. 

Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister, Paul Caica, says the establishment of the Riverland Futures Task Force last year and its development of a Prospectus for the region is a good indication of the future.

"We are expecting a wide range of business opportunities to be identified and progressed via the Prospectus," Mr Caica says.

The scope of the project is going out for tender shortly, with the Prospectus due for completion and release in Spring next year.

The objectives of the Riverland Futures Task Force are:

  • the attraction of new sustainable industries
  • the diversification of existing industry
  • bringing together primary industries sectors looking at new opportunities
  • strengthening of local enterprises and
  • the enhancement of business structures and local value added opportunities.

In June this year, the State Government announced $400,000 funding for the Riverland Prospectus Project and a further $75,000 was contributed from Task Force member organisations, bringing the total project funding to $475,000.

Minister Caica says the State Government is also developing new food and wine plans, which will be completed over coming months.

"These significant plans will identify where industry and government can come together to grow our food and wine sectors, with the Riverland being an important region in realising this growth," he says.

"We have some extremely resilient industries in the Riverland that are dealing with water shortages and market pressures. 

"The Citrus Board recently announced that this year's citrus crop is the largest since 2000.  This is an excellent result given the production conditions," he says.

"Other sectors such as almonds are also performing very well.

"The world is increasingly under pressure to feed its population and food security will continue to be an important role for Australia and South Australia", Mr Caica says.