The expansion of the citrus industry in Western Australia has become significant, with grower Harvey Citrus receiving a $500,000 Nurture Fund Grant from Coles to plant 9000 new lime, lemon and mandarin trees, increasing lime production by 800 percent.
“We go directly into Coles, 99 percent of our premium grade limes they already take. They’ve always been really good to us,” says Andrew Pergoliti, whose parents started Harvey Citrus 30 years ago, before he rejoined the business in 1998. “We’ve been sending limes for two or three seasons now, this last season in May we sent everything out in less than two weeks, they [Coles] just move them,” he adds. “Some say lime expansion is a bit risky, but that’s not been our experience.”
With Coles and consumers pushing for more locally grown produce for the Western state, there was already demand for WA Limes, and mandarins. “I think the emphasis with the application was to sell more locally grown, WA produce, and explore export potential,” says Mr Pergoliti. “We will also increase production of mid-season mandarins by 150 percent.”
There is also a variety of seedless lemon that Harvey Citrus will plant, 2ph, and there should be a ‘good crop’ of them within 3-4 years, Mr Pergoliti adds.
The quality premium crop, and the innovative approach taken by Harvey Citrus was what won the grant, according to a Coles representative. “We’ve chosen Harvey Citrus to receive one of the first grants because the company is innovative with a strong business plan and a focus on providing customers with fresh, quality produce,” says Coles State General Manager Neil Lake in a statement.
The funds, offered as one of the first Nurture Fund grants for WA, were announced on October 2. At Harvey Citrus they are also to be used to upgrade equipment and machinery, and hire additional seasonal workers. This includes coolroom facilities, and irrigation/fertigation infrastructure.
