This season he became one of the first WA orange growers to achieve that vision after the State Government granted access to Chinese markets for citrus growers.
“It is something that has taken many years to set up because of the quarantine protocols,” Mr Kay said.
“China is a difficult market to access but they are loving our fruit and the prices are quite good.”
He said the Perth market was a priority but growers produced more than enough fruit for local consumption.
“Our first focus is supplying the local market and anything extra will be directed to the export market as volumes grow,” he said.
Mr Kay, manager at Moora Citrus, and Gavin Foord, of Badgingarra’s AGRIfresh orchard, were the first to capitalise on the export opportunity.
Between them they sent more than 500 tonnes of navel oranges to China and South-East Asia.
“We are looking at ramping that up tenfold in the next three to five years,” Mr Foord said.
“We sell our premium fruit to China, but we get a return on it that more than covers the extra expenses.”
Mr Foord said growers were looking to sell into several other Asian markets.
“China has been a focus, but we are also looking to Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong,” he said.
“Korea and Thailand are also potential markets.”
WA Agriculture Minister Ken Baston said the export milestone would boost the industry’s competitiveness.
“Having established these markets, the producers expect to increase the volume of fruit exported over the next few years as significant new plantings come into full production,” he said.
“Building on the success of these trailblazing growers, the government is working with other WA citrus growers interested in exporting their fruit.
“The work included a delegation of producers on visits to markets in China to meet buyers, identify any issues, discuss market opportunities and learn more about export protocols.”
WA growers produce about 15,000 tonnes of citrus a year, valued about $15 million.
Nationally, growers export 130,000 tonnes of citrus each year.
Moora - Dandaragan Accommodation
