AU: Mango growers encouraged to export to US

Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, and Northern Territory Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, Willem Westra van Holthe, are encouraging more mango growers in the NT to take advantage of access to the lucrative United States market gained by the Australian Government earlier this year.

Minister Westra van Holthe said that it was an exciting time for the Territory’s mango growers, and encouraged growers in the Territory to seize the opportunities offered by overseas markets.

“The US market is wonderful—the most promising of all the markets we’ve looked at,” he said. “It’s very stable, with clear and consistent rules and regulations and I encourage all Territory mango growers to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Minister Joyce said the Australian Government was committed to increasing farmgate returns for producers, including by creating new trade opportunities for Australia’s agricultural sector.

“Access to the US, Japanese, Chinese and Korean markets represent great opportunities for Australia’s $110 million a year mango industry. The Australian Mango Industry Association is conducting workshops for crop monitors with support from the Department of Agriculture to ensure they understand the export requirements of these markets so growers can capitalise on export opportunities.”

Applications are now open for mango growers to nominate orchards or blocks for export to the US, China and Korea, and for pack-houses and treatment facilities to register for export to US, China, Japan and Korea in 2015.

Growers, pack-houses and treatment facilities have until 27 July to submit their application to the Australian Mango Industry Association.

Crop monitors interested in attending a workshop are encouraged to contact the Australian Mango Industry Association.

More information is available at agriculture.gov.au/export/plants-plant-products/ian/2015/2015-32.