Australia: Tasmanian irrigation projects strengthen Costa's berry business
Australia's largest privately-owned produce company expects to double its Tasmanian berry production in two years, thanks to state-backed water projects like the Dial Blythe Irrigation Scheme.
Costa Group's berry division manager for Tasmania, Cameron Wilkins, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) the 95% water surety was a boost for the company's operations in the state's north.
"Our berry production in volume will double in the next two years, but the infrastructure builds over the next three or four years are very exciting for the region," Wilkins told the broadcaster.
"We've got a good relationship with Tasmanian Irrigation, they're very co-operative and without water i's guaranteed our business can't continue.
"We wouldn't have the investment into the future that we've got planned."
He told the ABC that Costa would double its existing 100 hectares of berry plantations in Tasmania over the next five years.
"We're not going to double where we are at with blueberries, but certainly with raspberries and strawberries we're looking at doubling our production," Wilkins was quoted as saying.
"As new genetics become available with blackberries we'll more than double our foot holding there."
Costa is a partner with U.S.-based berry multinational Driscoll's.
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