MANGO GOLD RUSH
$2m project aims to boost exports to China by 200 per cent
A NEW $2.24 million push to improve the quality of exported mangoes is set to boost the amount of tropical fruit sent to China by 200 per cent within five years.
Calypso mango orchards in Mareeba and Dimbulah are among those selected as research locations for the project. FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said improvements would have a flow-on effect to other varieties.
“The Chinese already know our product is very good and it’s just how we get the product there up to the standard,” he said.
THE Far North region’s role as a major player in the mango industry could help unlock even greater exporting potential to China in the near future.
Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia has today announced a $2.24 million project, which promises to boost northern Australian mango exports into China by 200 per cent within five years.
The research collaboration between Australia’s leading Calypso mango exporter Perfection Fresh, Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the University of Queensland, will use the latest in supply chain management, quality assessment tools and information technology platforms to identify and resolve issues impeding the export of mangoes into China.
The CRCNA has committed $952,471 towards the project, with the remainder of the project funded via cash and inkind contributions from project participants.
Calypso mango orchards in Mareeba and Dimbulah are among those that have been selected as research locations.
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said any efforts to increase capacity into China would alleviate pressure on the domestic market.
He said improvements made to exporting Calypso mangoes would also have a flow-on effect to other varieties, in particular R2E2 which is popular with the Chinese.
“The Mareeba/Dimbulah mango growing region is probably be the biggest region in Australia,” he said.
“The Chinese already know our product is very good and it’s just how we get the product there up to the standard.
“Any efforts to increase direct freight will be a good thing for the industry and China’s a huge market.
“I think the funding will definitely help increase volumes into China ….”
Perfection spokesman Andrew Edwards said shifting from an airfreight transport model to sea freight would be a key focus of the research.
“Transporting mangoes via sea freight will transform the industry from a low volume Australian export participant, more than tripling current export value to over $20 million per year, within the next three to five years,” he said.