As new export opportunities open up, the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) has stressed the importance of maintaining quality standards across the sector.
Australian mangoes entered the US for the first time earlier this year, and while the initial shipments were highly successful, AMIA industry development manager, Trevor Dunmall, said they also set the standard for coming seasons.
“Mangoes are sometimes a fragile fruit and need to be nurtured right from production through the supply chain and right to the consumer,” Dunmall told ABC Rural. 'US markets are really exciting for us, but we are treating it and we're encouraging growers to treat it with a little bit of caution, in that we need to get it right from the first day. Any errors or mistakes won't only reflect poorly on the grower, but it will also affect the whole trade.”
To meet the US’ stringent food safety standards, Australian growers must have their orchards and packing facilities audited by the Australian Department of Agriculture. All fruit is then sent to be treated at an irradiation facility in Brisbane before being air freight directly to Los Angeles. To further enhance quality standard, AMIA has helped coordinate crop monitoring training in key production hubs across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
“Growers shouldn't even think about exporting unless they are fully aware of the conditions underpinning exports,' Dunmall said. 'No one can afford to make an error in this area, the i's have got to be dotted and the t's have to be crossed.”
Dunmall told the ABC that there had been a solid increase in the number of mango growers approaching AMIA about exporting fruit to the US ahead of the 2015/16 season.
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