Mango season begins
THE 2021-22 mango season has officially arrived, and to celebrate the occasion a North Queensland farmer is on the verge of releasing three new mango varieties to delight our tastebuds.
For the past four years, Sandy Cove Mango Plantation owner Brad Bowen has worked closely with the Department of Primary Industries to grow the as-yet unnamed hybrid mango varieties, known by the codes NMBP 1243, 1201 and 4069.
The mangoes were the end result of a two-decade research project by the CSIRO and Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory agricultural departments.
With 10,000 mango trees on his 142ha (350 acre) Brandon farm, the veteran farmer described 2021 as an “unusual” year for mango growing, with his fruit still about two months away from picking, which could continue as late as Christmas.
“We’re always looking forward to mango season and the fruit that’s coming on looks good,” Mr Bowen said.
During mango season, he said there was a lot happening and there was a very short window and a lot of pressure to make sure everything was done right.
“You’ve got to be able to get enough workers and that’s been an issue we’ve been having last year and this year. It’s been an ongoing issue,” he said.
In addition to appealing for workers to put their hands up to help on his farm, Mr Bowen urged North Queenslanders to get behind farmers by purchasing plenty of locally grown mangoes.
According to the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), national distribution levels are due to hit 200,000 trays in mid-late September with an estimated 150 million mangoes consumed before March 2022.
Starting the season off sweet is the beloved Kensington Pride variety, with Calypso and R2E2 varieties arriving in October, followed by Honey Gold mangoes in November, with Keitt, Palmer and Kent varieties arriving late to tide tastebuds over to the end of the season.
AMIA chief executive Brett Kelly said Aussies should get in quick to their local supermarket or grocer to get their first taste of sunshine.
“After a challenging year for all, Australians can look forward to tasting the sunshine with the sweet tropical flavour of Australian mangoes,” Mr Kelly said.
“Our mangoes are 100 per cent Australian produced by our growers who work hard to deliver high quality, delicious produce that Aussies enjoy year after year.”
To help pick Brad Bowen’s mangoes, visit: www.sandycovemangoplantation.com