In a moment that has been long anticipated by Australian mango growers, the first shipment of 700, 5kg trays of premium Australian mangoes left last week via airfreight, bound for California. The shipment was accompanied by a team from the Australian Mango Industry Association and Horticulture Innovation Limited who will make contact with growers shortly after arrival. “Members of the team will accompany the shipment, we’ll be watching it very carefully,” notes AMIA CEO Robert Gray.
The timing of the shipment is around one week earlier than originally expected, however growers took advantage of a break in the rainy weather to harvest and box the mangoes to be shipped overseas. “The first few shipments between now and the end of the season are just about testing and improving our systems, and making sure everything works,” adds Mr Gray.
The mangoes from this first shipment are expected to be sold within California, mostly around the Los Angeles area, for anywhere between $5 and $10 per mango, depending on which outlet consumers buy from.”We’re expecting they’ll be sold to a range of outlets. A lot of our focus will be on that next year,” confirms Mr Gray. Growers are also keen to receive feedback from American consumers, which will arrive within a week or two. “The industry has put in a lot of work to ensure this shipment goes ahead and we are looking forward to hearing what our American consumers have to say about the unique flavour of Australian mangoes,” says Mr Gray.
The initial agreement to export mangoes and lychees (eventually) from Australia was announced by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, just three months ago, on 21 November 2014. Since then, U.S government officials have visited and approved two Australian growers for export. They are dealing with two separate importing companies in the U.S.
For more information contact the Australian Mango Industry Association
CEO Robert Gray
Communications Officer Claire Gilmartin
Phone: +617 3278 3755
E-mail: com@mangoes.net.au
Website: www.mangoes.net.au
The Australian Federal Department of Agriculture
Website: www.daff.gov.au
Horticulture Innovation Australia
Level 8, 1 Chifley Square,
Sydney, NSW
Australia 2000
Website: www.horticulture.com.au