WA citrus exports to grow 12-fold in three years

The state’s largest citrus packing facility opened in Bindoon today, supporting an export industry that is seeing huge growth.

At the opening, Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said Western Australians knew the quality of local citrus, and now was time to take it to the world.

WA exported 500 tonnes of citrus fruit in 2015 and 3,000t so far this year, with 6,000t expected next year.

The Moora Citrus Packers shed has advanced packing technology partly funded by the state government.

Fruit producers will use the facility to pack, cool, inspect, load and seal containers straight to port to allow access to export markets with strict biosecurity protocols.

Moora Citrus Packers is expected to generate 15 long-term jobs in Bindoon, as well as another 60 jobs in the service and supply chain.

"Congratulations to Moora Citrus, particularly director Sue Middleton, Niela Citrus and other partners on this facility, which will help to create job opportunities in Bindoon and across the supply chain,” she said.

Moora Citrus has 210 hectares of trees, 12kms from the town of Moora, that produce fresh eating citrus for eight months of the year.