In the lush landscapes of Northern Australia, Manbulloo Ltd stands as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Australian agriculture. Marie Piccone, the Managing Director of Manbulloo Ltd, Australia's largest grower of the iconic Kensington Pride and R2E2 mango varieties, offers an insider's perspective on the highs and lows of the current mango season.
Piccone's approach to agriculture is deeply intertwined with understanding and adapting to the weather. This year, the company's farms in the Northern Territory and Queensland faced contrasting scenarios. "In the Northern Territory, one of our farms had reduced volume, a little below normal," Piccone explains. "However, our other farm broke all records. It's the highest yield we’ve ever had on that farm."
With Cyclone Jasper looming off the coast of Far North Queensland, Piccone anticipates further climatic challenges. The company's response has been agile and innovative, resorting to night harvesting to beat the heat. "Every year's different. We manage climatic conditions as best we can, knowing what mangoes need to flower and to hold fruit," she adds.
Despite these challenges, the quality and size of Manbulloo’s mangoes have remained remarkably consistent. "We carefully nurture each mango on the tree until it reaches its optimal size. This year, there wasn’t any significant deviation in size or brix levels " Piccone states confidently. This commitment to quality is reflected in the company's rigorous harvesting practices, ensuring only the best fruit makes it to market.
The Australian love affair with mangoes remains strong, according to Piccone. "It’s a short year, definitely shorter supply, but the demand for the varieties we grow is strong," she says. Manbulloo Ltd also caters to a global palette, exporting to Asia, North America, and the Middle East. Their primary export varieties are the Kensington Pride and R2E2.
Piccone highlights the traditional surge in mango sales during the Christmas season. "Mango sales skyrocket in December. However, this year, the supply of Kensington Pride mangoes is unusually short, affecting availability during the festive period," she notes. Pricing plays a crucial role too. "While demand is strong, it can taper off if prices soar too high. We aim to balance obtaining fair value with keeping our mangoes accessible to consumers."
Since its inception in 2005, Manbulloo Ltd has grown exponentially, now owning seven farms across the fertile regions of Queensland and the Northern Territory. "Our journey has been one of passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of quality," says Piccone, who was recognized with the Telstra Business Women’s Entrepreneur Award in 2015. "Our farms, including our largest at Manbulloo Katherine with 65,000 trees, are managed to the highest standards. We're committed to delivering the best mangoes to our customers, exclusively available at Coles supermarkets in Australia.”
As Manbulloo Ltd navigates through the complexities of the mango industry, its story remains one of resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality. Under Marie Piccone’s leadership, the company is not just growing mangoes but nurturing an industry that is a vital part of Australia's agricultural landscape.
For more information:
Marie Piccone
Manbulloo Ltd
Email: mpiccone@manbulloo.com