Ground‐breaking deal to create 300 jobs at Port Augusta
‐ Tomatoes grown with solar power and seawater ‐
A landmark 20 hectare greenhouse, where tomatoes are grown with solar power and desalinated
seawater, will be built at South Australia’s Port Augusta after the signing of an unprecedented 10
year contract between Sundrop Farms and Coles.
Sundrop Farms, which is a pioneer in sustainable agriculture for the arid world, will create around
300 jobs by building the state‐of‐the‐art greenhouse at Port Augusta. Construction is due to
commence this month.
In a win for jobs and investment in South Australia and for Coles’ customers across Australia who are
eating more tomatoes than ever before, the facility will grow truss tomatoes 365 days a year.
Announced today in Adelaide by the Premier of South Australia, The Hon. Jay Weatherill MP,
Sundrop Farms CEO Philipp Saumweber and Coles Managing Director John Durkan, the sustainable
horticulture model will also receive funding from the State Government over the next three years.
Mr Saumweber said the company was excited about commencing construction of the greenhouse
following a successful trial at Port Augusta and the signing of the 10‐year contract with Coles.
“This agreement represents a significant milestone for Sundrop Farms, giving us the confidence to
proceed with the Port Augusta project,” he said.
“Importantly, the Coles partnership allows Sundrop Farms to make a long‐term commitment to
regional South Australia.”
Coles Managing Director John Durkan said Coles was pleased to help satisfy continual strong growth
in customer demand for tomatoes in Australia from a South Australian facility, which was highly
innovative and progressive for its use of solar energy and seawater.
“By entering into a 10‐year deal to buy Australian‐grown tomatoes from Sundrop Farms, we are
supporting an enterprise which is redefining sustainable agriculture in Australia,” Mr Durkan said.
“This is the first time we have signed a contract of this length for Australian‐grown fresh produce
and we are delighted it will be supporting the creation of 300 new jobs and investment in South
Australia.”
Mr Durkan said Sundrop Farms would supply Coles with truss tomatoes from early 2016.