The Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) chief executive Robert Gray said hundreds of growers would descend on the town next month to discuss the way forward for the industry after Cyclone Debbie.
"Virtually all of the orchards in the Bowen area have had some damage, impacting about 25 per cent of the trees, so it is very substantial," he said.
Bowen growers normally produce 1 million trays of fruit a year, or 15 per cent of the nation's mango crop. In addition, the area produces the bulk of the country's R2E2 crop, the big fruit with the red blush and the main export variety.
Mr Gray said while trees had been damaged by the ferocious wind associated with the cyclone, most would recover.
"Getting the architecture right will take two to five years, before they are back in full production. They are on track, but it will be a slow recovery."
Despite the damage to the Bowen area, Mr Gray said local growers were determined to push ahead with the national conference in the city.
source: abc.net.au
