Moora Citrus Packers will be the largest citrus packing facility in Western Australia and will be a one-stop-shop for WA fruit producers seeking to take advantage of the vast opportunities for Australian exports.
The new facility uses advanced sorting software and has the capacity to pack, cool, inspect, load and seal containers straight to port for high biosecurity protocol export markets.
Citrus production in WA has steadily increased in recent years since producers have expanded tree plantings.
“When we conducted our initial market research we found that 60% of the citrus that WA consumed was imported – we wanted to transform that statistic and offer quality product to other WA families”, said Sue Middleton, Executive Director of Moora Citrus.
Moora Citrus has worked with other WA growers to replace citrus imported from eastern states during the growing season and now that they’ve realised this vision, the business is seeking to take this collaboration from domestic to export markets.
“Not only will Moora Citrus Packers be able to provide a more consistent product to WA consumers, we will be able to match market demand with supply much more easily," said Shane Kay, Orchard Manager of Moora Citrus and coowner of Moora Citrus Packers.
Moora Citrus and Moora Citrus Packers will have a joint turnover of $24m which will create 50-60 jobs in the service and supply chain. Whilst the new packshed will initially be focusing on packing for the WA citrus industry, Moora Citrus Packers seeks to expand its capacity to other fresh produce in the northern valleys agricultural region.
For more information:
Elizabeth Brennan
Moora Citrus
Tel: +61 403 292 158