South Australia’s fruit fly outbreaks are playing havoc with the horticultural industry

For decades, South Australia claimed the title of being the only mainland state free of fruit fly — but that prized status came under serious threat just over a year ago.

While vast tracts of metropolitan Adelaide are now caught up in a series of outbreaks, it the spread of the pest in the Riverland region which has growers on tenterhooks. 

Extensive eradication efforts are currently underway, and authorities are confident the outbreaks will eventually be brought under control.

But some producers are concerned it might already be too late.