CostaExchange Citrus
CostaExchange's citrus category is the largest citrus grower in Australia, growing a variety of oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, tangelos and mandarins. Our emphasis is on achieving the best colour and taste possible, in order to provide outstanding quality citrus fruit to our customers here in Australia and overseas.
Production facts
- 1757 planted acres
- Oranges and lemons available 52 weeks per year
- Limes available February to May
- Grapefruit available late April to end December
- Mandarins available February to November
- In excess of 62,000 tonnes total fruit produced each season
- Continuous R&D into varietal improvement
- Pest management research programs in place
- Advanced drip, fertigation and control systems
- We grow 80% of our own produce and source 20% from third party growers
- South Australia's Riverland enjoys a fruit fly free status
CostaExchange citrus is a leader in the area of agronomy innovation. In particular, our drip, fertigation and control systems have been developed into advanced Open Hydroponic System (OHS) technology. The result is improved plant health, yield and fruit quality and size. We are one of the nation’s leading authorities on:
- Martinez Open Hydroponics Technology
- Advanced Fertigation Systems
- NPK Fertiliser Programs
We export between 50 – 60% of our produce to Japan, Hong Kong, North America, S.E. Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Growing regions
- Renmark South Australia
- Kangara Murtho South Australia
- Solora South Australia
Our citrus fruit is grown in the Riverland district in South Australia. The southern areas have a semi-desert climate, drawing irrigation water from the Murray River and associated irrigation schemes – creating ideal conditions for citrus fruit cultivation.
We also have a key marketing and farming alliance agreement with 2PH Farms in Emerald QLD. This enables us to sell and market citrus in the months of January to September.
Read more here about 2PH
We value our role in the community and support a range of local sporting and community clubs. CostaExchange's citrus category is one of the largest private employer in the Renmark and surrounding regions, with around 1,300 staff.
Long term drought conditions have led to the demand for innovation when it comes to water usage. CostaExchange’s citrus category (as AgriExchange) was awarded an Environmental Sustainability Award at the Eleventh Annual South Australian Premiers Food Awards in 2008.
Citrus nursery
We also supply high quality trees to growers from our Nursery. This service includes advice about all aspects of production including:
- Soil matching
- Replanting programs
- Cultivation
- Irrigation, soil water monitoring, land development, soil surveying
- After sales service
Selection and Storage
CostaExchange's citrus packing facilities are located close to growing areas, and include state of the art technologies to improve the quality and shelf life of the fruit.
Distribution
Our citrus fruit is marketed through Vitor and is distributed to leading Australian retailers, wholesalers and food producers. We also export renowned Australian citrus throughout the world including to the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Export
Our citrus has been exported successfully for over 30 years to over 25 countries around the world through our 2 widely recognised brands:
