Our Story.
Mark Pye, owner and daughter, Renee Pye
Parilla Premium Potatoes was established in 1990 by Allan Pye with his son, Mark Pye and daughter in-law, Fiona Pye. The Pye family moved to the Mallee Region from New Zealand after being approached by McCain’s to grow potatoes for their Australian operation. They started out leasing 600 acres of land from a local cereal farmer near the small and vibrant country town, Parilla. Parilla Premium Potatoes is a successful South Australian horticulture and agriculture farm with properties across South Australia including Parilla and Robe. Today, the company produces more than 120,000 tonnes of fresh produce per year to supply both fresh and processing markets in Australia and overseas. The main crops grown are potatoes, carrots and brown and red onions. These crops are produced under centre pivot irrigation. Additionally for soil rotation and soil health cereal cropping and livestock is utilised.
Peak Harvest.
The peak potato harvest runs from December until May, although potatoes are continually harvested throughout the year. Onion harvest begins late January and finishes late April, while carrot season runs from January through to August.
The Yard.
The main yard of the Parilla property is the centre of the farm operations. It has an established onion packing shed where the onions are graded and packed to be distributed to the supermarkets and markets around Australia. Along with this packing shed, the yard has ample storage facilities for fuel, produce, fetiliser and equipment. Additionally there is a fully equipped workshop where both tractors and trucks a re maintained regularly.
Awards We’ve Won
AUSVEG SA Grower of the Year
Innovation Partner of the Year
