The Citrus Segment

In our final Chair Chat for 2025, Citrus SA Chair Mark Doecke updates growers on what he’s been working on over the past couple of months, including fruit fly management, import concerns, industry advocacy, and how the season has wrapped up. He also shares insights on juice market prices and finishes with a Christmas message for growers.

• Citrus SA continues to push for effective fruit fly tools, including sterile insect technology (SIT).

• SIT has now been deployed in Renmark, with numbers dropping significantly.

• The team is also working on improving the process for bringing empty bins into SA, which is currently costly and complex for growers.

• A proposal to allow pomelo imports from Vietnam is raising red flags due to canker, HLB and other pest risks.

• Citrus SA is supporting Citrus Australia’s submission calling for stronger risk assessment.

• Letters have also been sent to the SA Minister to reinforce industry concerns.

• Expectations for improved fruit quality didn’t quite eventuate, with smaller fruit in some areas and some albedo issues.

• Hot weather and lack of rainfall contributed to size issues.

• Mark stresses the importance of good nutrition, GA, calcium sprays and regular leaf analysis.

• High returns continue to rely on growing high-quality packing fruit.

• Last year’s high juice prices were due to a world shortage, prompting processors to take large volumes.

• This year, stocks are higher and retail prices have dampened demand, so juice prices have returned to normal levels.

• Smaller fruit this season has also contributed to faster fill of the juice bin.

• Mark attended the Japanese Trade Night at Parliament House, helping strengthen export relationships with one of our key markets.

Mark wishes all growers a safe and happy Christmas, hopes you get some time with family (apart from irrigation!), and looks forward to catching up again in the New Year.

Chair Chat with Citrus SA Chair, Mark Doecke

In this episode of The Citrus Segment, Citrus SA Chair Mark Doecke discusses:

• Season update – late varieties still in demand, but fruit size and pack outs have been mixed.
• Juice fruit markets – prices dropping back after last year’s highs.
• Fruit fly management – how the industry is working with PIRSA to target hotspots in Renmark and push for regional “decoupling.”
• Royal Adelaide Show – What’s planned for Citrus SA’s stall this year.

🎧 The Citrus Segment is the official podcast of Citrus SA, the peak body representing citrus growers in South Australia.

In this episode of The Citrus Segment, Kerrie Lush-Robertson sits down with Citrus SA Chair Mark Doecke for a timely update on the South Australian citrus season.

Mark shares what’s currently being picked across the region—including early Satsuma mandarins and M7 navels—and why this year’s fruit quality is looking strong after a more typical Riverland summer. He also provides a detailed fruit fly update, including persistent hotspots in parts of Renmark, and outlines the steps being taken to address the issue.

Mark discusses recent meetings in Griffith and Adelaide, including talks with Riverina growers and Minister Clare Scriven, and previews the upcoming season launch event on May 30 at the Adelaide Central Market.

Tune in for practical insights, seasonal outlooks, and the latest from the team representing citrus growers across South Australia.

Welcome to The Citrus Segment, the official podcast of Citrus South Australia, the peak body representing citrus growers in the region. In this episode, Kerrie Robertson sits down with Citrus SA Chair Mark Doecke for the latest instalment of The Chair Chat, covering the current state of the season, fruit fly updates, and insights from international industry visitors.

Key Topics Covered:

🍊 Season Update – How growers are managing irrigation, heat stress, and gearing up for the 2025 season.
☀️ Sunburn Prevention – The role of irrigation and kaolin clay sprays in protecting citrus crops.
🦟 Fruit Fly Control – Progress in the Riverland, the impact of sterile insect release, and final eradication efforts.
🌍 International Industry Exchange – Insights from a Moroccan citrus delegation visiting Waikerie, including their water challenges and industry size.
📅 What’s Next? – Upcoming meetings with the State Minister, regulatory reviews, and ongoing industry initiatives.

👥 Stay Connected with Citrus SA:
🌐 Website: www.citrussa.com.au

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Citrus Segment!

In this episode, Kerrie Robertson chats with Mark Doecke, Chair of Citrus South Australia, to discuss the latest updates on the citrus industry in South Australia as the season wraps up.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

🌟 Don’t Miss Out!
This is the final Chair Chat for 2024, so tune in to hear all the latest insights and reflections on the citrus industry.

📢 Subscribe Now
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to the Citrus Segment podcast so you won’t miss any future updates.

Happy holidays and best wishes for a successful 2025! 🍊

This month's conversation between Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke and Kerrie Lush-Robertson covers topics including:

*Upcoming AGM and why it is crucial for growers to attend to determine the future of Citrus SA.

*How the season is progressing

*The pickers handbook has been translated to Punjabi and is now available

*The Royal Adelaide Show - another successful year

The Citrus Segment: Episode Summary

Host: Kerrie (Lush) Robertson
Guest: Mark Doecke, Chair of Citrus SA

In this episode of The Citrus Segment, we catch up with Mark Doecke, to discuss the current state of the citrus season in South Australia and other industry updates.

Key Topics Covered:

Closing Remarks:

Don't forget to read more about these topics in the latest Citrus S.A. newsletter available on their website. Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the citrus industry in our next episode.

In this episode of the Citrus Segment, brought to you by Citrus SA we speak to Mark Doecke for his monthly Chair Chat. This month, fruit fly continues to be a hot topic. Particularly with the South Australian season about to kick off. We also cover immature fruit and why it's not helpful for the industry if fruit goes to market too early.

In this episode of The Citrus Segment, brought to you by Citrus SA , we’re back to normal programming with our monthly chair chat with Mark Doecke. 

Mark shares what the committee has been dealing with over the past month or so. 

These issues include: 

·       Fruit Fly

·       ICA 30 around fruit movement

·       Gall Wasp trap development

·       Freshcare citrus version update

Amanda Wells, is a PhD candidate, researching the environmental history of citrus growing in the Riverland between 1948 and 1970.

In this episode, Amanda explains what she’s been exploring and why.