Australian mango growers are still on track to dispatch more fruit than last year, despite minor impacts from rainfall in some of the growing regions throughout the past few weeks.
Australian Mango Industry Association CEO Brett Kelly explains that inclement weather can present challenges, such as growers needing to rearrange picking schedules and the downgrading of fruit in some instances.
“While there was a small reduction in expected forecasted volume from last week to this week, the industry is still expected to dispatch around 8 million trays this season. This is still up on last season where approximately 7 million trays were dispatched," he said. “While each season is different, growers are used to dealing with the challenges of growing in tropical regions and managing weather conditions. We empathise with growers that haven’t had a great year, but we know they are resilient and will overcome and we are here to support them.”
Photos: Honey Gold mangoes from Mareeba (Source: AMIA)
After reaching the highest total number of trays for the season in the week ending November 26, with 628,000 trays, volume was down last week to 533,000. The weekly My Mango newsletter from the AMIA noted that the Bowen/Burdekin dispatch last week were down significantly from the week before.
"This is mostly due to many growers approaching the conclusion of their season as well as weather uncertainties," the AMIA said. "Rain is continuing to provide challenges for growers, impacting both fruit quality and the continuity of picking. Dispatch volumes were lower than initially forecasted."
In South East Queensland, very small volumes of R2E2 were predicted to be dispatched last week, however, there has been a short delay to the start of the season in that region. While heavy rainfall has subsided in the area, light showers are continuing in the region, and this may change picking schedules - and the AMIA is expecting that picking will start this week.
Further north in the Mareeba/Dimbulah region, volumes dispatched have increased again last week, driven predominantly by the Calypso crop. The AMIA notes that slightly lower numbers are expected to be sent out this week. Some growers are expected to conclude their picking season this week, but most growers in the region are still picking.
It has been a different challenge facing growers in Western Australia. After a wet winter and a recent heatwave, growers in Carnarvon are currently dealing with sunburnt fruit and managing potential bacterial development.
"Windy conditions are causing scarring on the fruit, which is not unusual for the region," the AMIA said. "The fruit is sizing up and growers are getting ready to start picking in a couple of weeks. Kensington Pride is filling up nicely and R2E2 is starting to blush."
But overall, Mr Kelly says consumers should not be concerned about the supply or quality of the fruit on retail shelves, especially in the lead up to Christmas.
“There’ll be plenty of mangoes around, well until the new year and the best way consumers can support the industry is by buying trays of our delicious fruit," he said. "Now is a great time to buy as the season is at its peak. Juicy Australian Mangoes are a sweet, guilt-free indulgence ready to be enjoyed. Aussies are encouraged to get in quick to their local supermarket or local grocer to get their taste of sunshine with delicious in-season Australian Mangoes.”
For more information
Brett Kelly
Australian Mango Industry Association
Phone: +61 7 3278 3755
com@mangoes.net.au
www.mangoes.net.au