In its first year operating some five ships, P&O Cruises Australia said it is one of the nation’s biggest purchasers of Australian produce.

Since welcoming the Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden last November, P&O Cruises’ supply list has grown by 30 percent, the company said. 

It purchases about 2.6 million kilograms of meat and poultry and 4.7 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables from local suppliers, as well as 6.2 million fresh eggs, all locally. 

With nearly 12,000 guests and crew to feed every day, P&O’s grocery list also features 125,000 kilograms of cheese and more than 1.2 million liters of milk, yogurt, cream and ice cream a year.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the line’s purchase of such big quantities of produce from Australian suppliers was further evidence that cruising was an economic powerhouse with flow on benefits to more than just the tourism industry.

“We often refer to the multiplier effect of cruising and the way the economic benefits carry through to so many parts of the economy,” Myrmell said.

“When it comes to these commercial relationships, none is more satisfying than with our local suppliers of fresh produce.”