South Australia Declared Free of Tomato Brown Rugose Virus

South Australia has officially been declared free of the highly contagious tomato brown rugose fruit virus, following an extensive surveillance and testing program across the state’s tomato-growing regions.

The State Government has now issued an Area Freedom Certificate, reinstating full trade access to eastern seaboard markets.

More than 200,000 samples were tested across 109 properties, with no detections since March this year.

The virus, which has no impact on human health, significantly reduces crop yield and marketability in tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies.

“This is a major step forward for tomato growers,” a government spokesperson said, confirming the virus has been successfully eradicated from the Northern Adelaide Plains, where it was first detected in August 2024.

The outbreak was contained to just three businesses, thanks to strict biosecurity measures.

The recovery is welcome news for the $230 million tomato and capsicum industry, which had faced significant trade restrictions.

Authorities will continue monitoring to ensure the virus does not re-emerge.

The Area Freedom Certificate restores confidence among interstate buyers and opens the door for full economic recovery for affected growers.