The owners of SA Tomato, a 65-year-old tomato nursery in Adelaide, South Australia, are considering legal action after closing their business due to a tomato virus crisis. Peter and Oriana Petsios, who have run the family business for decades, were devastated to shut down after a seedling tested positive for tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in mid-December 2024. The virus was first detected at their business in August.
"We're all devastated – it's a matter for the courts now," Peter said, adding they had lost approximately $3 million and feared losing their home.
"It's an unwinnable war. It's very unfair. We've lost our reputation completely. They've destroyed a South Australian business."
The Petsios family laid off their remaining staff after the December test, which came from a sacrificial crop sent to a Victorian customer. The batch was part of a nationally approved deal, but the Victorian glasshouse also tested positive for the virus and is now under quarantine.
Read more at The Greek Herald