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Tomato virus leads to more export bans for South Australia

Western Australia has expanded its embargo on tomatoes from South Australia following the detection of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Adelaide, marking Australia's first known instances of the virus. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) identified the virus on August 19 at two locations in northern Adelaide, with a third detection on September 5. ToBRFV, an exotic and highly contagious virus, poses a threat to the $5.8 billion Australian vegetable sector, affecting tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies by reducing yield and marketability through brown wrinkled spots, deformations, and uneven ripening.

Restrictions on South Australian tomato imports have been enacted by Queensland, Western Australia, and New Zealand. Western Australia has extended its import restrictions to include all potential ToBRFV carriers from any state where the virus has been found, with South Australia being the only confirmed location. Additionally, New Caledonia has joined New Zealand in imposing export restrictions on South Australian tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies, following New Zealand's complete ban on Australian tomato imports from August 23. The New Caledonia National Plant Protection Organisation announced the suspension in early September.

In 2023, Australia exported tomatoes worth $605,056 to New Caledonia, as per the United Nations COMTRADE database. Tomato production in Australia is primarily located in South Australia and Victoria, with the latter producing 47% and South Australia 18% of the country's fresh tomatoes, according to the Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2022 – 2023. The South Australian tomato sector is valued at $179.8 million, producing 57,970 tonnes.

Source: InDaily

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