The green light was given this week for the importation of the fruit, depending on strict biosecurity conditions, with protocols being revised to allow irradiation treatment.
"If the Australian industry wants to have access to global markets, we need to accept that, just like we would like to have access to other markets, other countries are going to want to have access to Australian markets," AMIA Chief Executive, Robert Gray said. "You can't have it both ways."
Some growers are concerned that an increase in imports will affect competition, the AMIA says there is room for both imported and locally grown fruit in the Australian market.
"We are confident that if we continue to deliver the high quality product at a fair and reasonable value, then we will be able hold our own and grow our market regardless of what others are doing with their imports," Mr Gray said. "We face competition every day from other fruits and products," he said. "This very well may add to that. But our strategy with Australian grown products is that we have a very targeted approach."
While Mr Gray admits it may open up a new alternative for a small number of consumers who prefer the new varieties of mango, he is confident that the quality of the locally grown products have created a strong enough reputation with consumers.
"We promote our product to Australian consumers through Australian retailers as Australian grown, with the flavour profile that Australian consumers prefer," Mr Gray said. "Our experience is that consumers are looking for quality and value, not cheapness. The key thing that they are going to be looking for is whether the flavour profile fits their requirements, does it visually meet their requirements, and they will pay a fair price for that."
The imported produce will be subject to tight biosecurity requirements, with the latest changes allowing for irradiation treatment, in addition to the existing vapour heat treatment.
"The Australian departments would have to visit farms and export facilities to recognise they were fit for purpose," Mr Gray said. "The facility that does the irradiation tratment would have to meet certain requirements surrounding the dosage and making sure it was effective. Then there would obviously be assesments of the fruit when it arrives to ensure there's no bugs that have survived that process."
The AMIA says that the extra biosecurity precautions could actually mean a higher shelf price.
"I imagine the process of treating and air freighting, and getting through all the protocol requirements will mean these mangoes will be relatively expensive by the time they get on the shelf."
Indian companies are racing the clock to have the fruit imported within months, but the AMIA is not forecasting a clash in seasons.
"Generally there is not a lot of overlap between a northern hemisphere growing country and a southern hemisphere growing country," Mr Gray said. "Then it will come back to consumers and retailers saying they want to range both at the same time. Certainly our experience to date is that where the Australian product has been available, the mainstream retail segment doesn't stock non-Australian products."
For more information:
Robert Gray
AMIA
Tel: +61 7 3278 3755
Email: ceo@mangoes.net.au
http://www.industry.mangoes.net.au
Authour: Matt Russell