More than 200,000 samples have been tested across 109 properties, providing strong evidence that the virus is no longer present in South Australia South Australia is now free of tomato…

More than 200,000 samples have been tested across 109 properties, providing strong evidence that the virus is no longer present in South Australia

South Australia is now free of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), paving the way for impacted growers to return to full trade rights across the eastern seaboard.

The State Government has issued an Area Freedom Certificate, which provides confidence for interstate markets that South Australia is now free of ToBRFV following extensive testing across SA’s tomato-growing regions.

More than 200,000 samples have been tested across 109 properties, providing strong evidence that the virus is no longer present in South Australia.

This is a major step forward for tomato growers impacted by ToBRFV, following no detections of the virus in SA since March 2025.

ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies, and while it has no human health impacts, it significantly reduces yields and marketability.

It was first detected in tomatoes in the Northern Adelaide Plains in August 2024, which was the first time the virus had ever been confirmed in Australia.

Measures were put in place to stop the spread of the virus in order to protect South Australia’s $230 million tomato and capsicum sector. The virus was successfully contained to 3 businesses.