Mango growers to see it through

FROM a record-breaking heatwave to a spate of wet weather during harvest, the 2018-19 Far North mango season is keeping growers on their toes.

The Mareeba/Dimbulah growing region is recognised as the country’s biggest, producing world favourite Kensington Pride, R2E2, Calypso, Honey Gold, Keitt and other varieties.

Mareeba grower and Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) Far North Queensland director, John Nucifora said the season had started with some challenges.

“The (December) heatwave resulted in some downgraded fruit in certain areas, the main problem being sunburn damage,” he said.

“Volumes, as predicted in the forecast, have now hit the market and this peak has put some pressure on price. While we have had a bit of a hard start to the season in this region, I’m hoping that it will finish with a satisfactory bang.

“I hope all growers have a successful season also.”

Fellow AMIA director Raymond Courtice agreed that fluctuating weather conditions had made for an interesting season.

“The heatwave, resulting in ripe fruit from our region earlier than expected, coincided with high volumes from the Burdekin/Bowen region putting a lot of pressure on the domestic market, making the export division strong at this time of the year,” he said.

Despite some hiccups due to unpredicted weather, Mr Courtice said several varieties from the north had been exported via VHT/Radiation treatment to China, Korea, Japan and USA.