Hundreds of jobs and tens of millions of dollars are at stake as a virus never before seen in Australia has infected tomato crops in South Australia. It's also possible that supermarket prices for the fruit will rise as an industry leader with a large market share 'Perfection Fresh' is heavily impacted.
The company's tomatoes have been missing from supermarket shelves nationwide for weeks because of the discovery of brown rugose virus, which will end up costing the business "tens of millions of dollars".
"I'm devastated," company CEO Michael Simonetta told 7.30. "My heart breaks for the people. We've already let go of about 250 but there's unfortunately more to come as we rip out more plants."
It's the first time the tomato brown rugose virus has been confirmed in Australia.
"Tomato prices will increase … we're 30 per cent of the Australian market," Mr Simonetta said.