This family fruit business has fed Sydney for almost a century

When Guiseppe Antico opened a small fruit shop in Sydney soon after migrating from Italy in 1922, he had no idea that a century later his family would be running a thriving business selling fresh produce locally, and worldwide.

Anthony Antico at Sydney Markets Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

Well before dawn every weekday morning at Sydney Markets thousands of forklifts haul pallets of goods for delivery to buyers across the country.

At the Antico store, in the produce warehouse, business is brisk.

Ninety-year-old Anthony Antico, known to friends as Tony, is keeping a close watch on customers collecting orders of fruit and vegetables, as he has done for decades now.

“I still rise up at two o'clock in the morning, and I'm here by three am,” he says with a grin.

“It keeps me occupied. It's something that I'm interested in and I don't mind doing it.”

Cherries remain a bestselling line Credit: Supplied: Antico International

Antico International is a major supplier of fresh fruit into supermarkets, across Australian and the region.

“We sell a lot of cherries and plums, but cherries are one of the most popular lines, that Australia's extremely well known for,” says general manager Hugh Molloy who joined 33 years ago.

“Antico has worked hard over the years to form very strong relationships with a few of some of Australia's best producers, and then invest into their farms as well. And we focus on cherries.”

Antico invests in Australian farms Credit: Supplied: Antico International

While the business has expanded steadily, like many exporters Antico International has faced challenges in recent years and not just due to the pandemic.

“This year has been what I would call a ‘cruel year,” says Mr Molloy.

“As far as weather is concerned, our New South Wales properties have been dramatically affected this season, and some were declared disaster areas.”

Severe hail storms swept through South Australia and NSW in spring leaving a trail of damage and destroying many cherry crops forcing growers to replant.

Antico International's General Manager Hugh Molloy Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

Freight disruption and delays getting goods out of the country during international border closures also affected revenue.

“It's been very trying at times and difficult, as the COVID impacts have rolled out across all of the countries,” says Mr Molloy.

Like many producers, Antico International has worked closely with Austrade, Australia’s Trade and Investment Commission to find a way forward.

“Austrade has really stepped up and supported our businesses as we to try to expand in a very challenging time,” he says.

Antico International also exports sugar plums Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

“During COVID 19, our exporters haven’t been able to visit foreign markets and meet customers in person,” says Austrade Global Engagement Manager Emily Wood.

“However, through Austrade connections, Antico International has started to export to a new wholesaler in Vietnam across north and central Vietnam.”

Orders of Tasmanian cherries followed, with a total of 5 tonnes exported at a value of $120,000.

“Vietnam is not only a growing market, it is an exciting market too,: says Antico International’s Hugh Molloy.

“Vietnam has 97 million people and they are very willing consumers, with proactive supermarkets.

“And the Austrade staff in those markets have been fantastic.”

Austrade's Global Engagement Manager Emily Wood Credit: Supplied Emily Wood

Other new South East Asian markets are being developed, according to Emily Wood.

“Malaysia and Indonesia are other new markets for Australian cherries and sugar plums, and Austrade has already connected Antico International to new customers there,” she says.

It's all part of the federal government's Agri-Business Expansion Initiative (ABEI) an $86-million program designed to help Australian agribusinesses expand and diversify their export markets.

“This is going to be a great year for Australian exporters with borders opening up, we look forward to inviting our overseas customers back to the market to see our fresh produce grown in person,” Ms Wood says.

Antico International Marketing and Sales Manager Bhakti Haldankar says the Asian perception of Australia fruit is that ‘it’s grown clean and green’.

“It gets from the farm to China in the same time it would get to a local supermarket here. So it is fresh and they love it.”

It’s an exciting if challenging era for co-owner Tony Antico, whose earliest memories are of working on the shop floor with his brothers John and Joe, and father Guiseppe, who migrated to Australia in 1922.

“We put plenty of time and effort into it,” Tony recalls.

Tony Antico remains hands-on in the business Credit: SBS / Sandra Fulloon

“We supplied customers with the best quality and so made a name for ourselves as supplies of top quality.

“So people would seek us out and from there we just kept growing.”

John Antico worked hard to expand the early export side of the business, which began in the early 1950’s sending pallets of fresh fruit and vegetables to the Pacific – aboard Qantas flights.

“New Caledonia was one of our first orders. And that was through Qantas because they had commenced a flight into Noumea.

“And buyers couldn't believe that a plane could deliver fresh produce in one day.”

Antico was soon providing produce for Qantas in-flight service and supplying customers worldwide from its warehouse in Haymarket.

The business has grown and changed but one thing remains consistent.

Antico International exports cherries worldwide Credit: Supplied: Antico International

“Customers wanted cherries then as a main line. They would take plums, apples pears as well, but mainly cherries were what they wanted,” he says.

“And they still want them today.

It’s 100 years since Guiseppe, a World War 1 veteran, left Italy to make a new home in Australia and start his own small business.

“Antico can go on for as long as it's viable,” says Tony with a trademark smile

“But I'm not looking for another hundred years.”