One of Australia's leading mango producers Manbulloo is already increasing production of its bottled nectar product, following a successful launch in October last year.
"It was an absolute highlight to launch our 100% Kensington Pride Mango Nectar with Coles in Australia, and it has been a really great result," Managing Director Marie Piccone said. "It was a pilot launch in a significant number of stores; and in the middle of COVID-19 with all its impact including supply chain issues, with not as many customers physically in stores, as usual, there were still great sales in-store."
For more photos: Manbulloo Facebook Page
She says the cold-pressed 100 per cent Kensington Pride nectar is produced in Queensland from completely mature high-quality fruit that may have a bit more external marking. Internally the mangoes are high-quality and ripened under optimal conditions, so the all-natural nectar has all those amazing KP flavours.
"This product has been very well received by customers and that is a really great outcome for us," Ms Piccone said. "We are definitely continuing with making great products from Kensington Pride and R2E2 - the varieties that Australians know and love. Kensington Pride will now be in stores as a delicious, healthy natural nectar all year round."
Overall, production-wise Ms Piccone is very happy with the yield and the quality across the company's farms in three growing regions, but she mentioned there was one exception where the yield on one of the farms was weather affected to some extent.
"We are not finished our mango harvest season yet, but we are around 85 per cent of the way through," she said. "So far, the production figures are good, the quality pack-out percentages are really good and the demand has remained very lively and strong. We were also really pleased with our export. Despite some logistical issues, such as aircraft availability and costs etc, we have been able to get send most orders as planned, which is important for customers and consumers in our export markets. Overall, it has been a successful season despite some pretty memorable obstacles."
One of the challenges and significant additional costs, not just facing Manbulloo, but the entire industry and Australian economy has been sourcing labour throughout the pandemic; first with border closures and requirements affecting foreign workers and then recently the Omicron wave disrupting production and supply chains.
"One of our biggest challenges has been getting enough labour and preventing infections in the time of COVID," Ms Piccone said. "That has consumed a lot of time, money and energy."
Another big highlight, according to Manbulloo was the continued demand for the brand.
"I think people love the experience of eating great quality mangoes, and that is driving demand for our mangoes," she said. "So, Manbulloo mangoes are a super popular fruit, especially when the flavour and eating experience is there. The feedback from everywhere suggests that the varieties and their superior flavour are what is driving demand for our Manbulloo mangoes. I also think people are more conscious of eating fruit and being healthy for their immune defence and just want to make better but enjoyable lifestyle choices. Plus, mangoes are an everyday treat; Kensington Pride is the quintessential Australian mango eating experience, whether you are eating one here in Australia or anywhere else in the world."
Export-wise, the United States and South Korea were both significant growth markets for Manbulloo this season.
For more information
Marie Piccone
Manbulloo
Phone: +61 7 3860 6990
[email protected]
www.manbulloo.com
