Australia looks set to begin mango exports to the US, following audits from USDA officials last week. The inspectors visited treatment facilities and orchards in the Northern Territory and Queensland in preparation for the commencement of initial trial shipments to the North American nation, which look set to get underway later this month.
“Following the orchard and facility audits the operational work plan is currently being finalised,” the Australian Mango Industry Association said in release.“Upon finalisation of the work plan, we anticipate initial trial shipments that will form part of the pilot program will occur during late January and February. Getting to this stage has required significant effort from all people involved and places our industry in a much better position in readiness for next season.”
There is unlikely to be a shortage or fruit to fill the trial shipments, with selected picking beginning in the key South East Queensland production hub over the last week.
Harvest of late varieties from the Dimbulah region in northern Queensland are expected to start in early February and finish later thatmonth. The nearby Mareeba growing region is nowat its peak tray volume dispatch, with harvest set to continue late into this month. The harvest in the Bowen/Burdekin region is now complete.
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