Commercial volumes to hit Australian shelves for the first time from late November
Favco QLD has launched Ruby Gold, a new mango variety bred in Far North Queensland.
The variety was discovered on the Palumbo family’s farm in Dimbulah and after more than a decade of development, the first commercial volumes will hit Australian shelves in 2025. The timing of the Ruby Gold season is typically up to two weeks earlier than Kensington Pride and harvest is expected to commence in mid-November.
John Nardi, business manager of Favco QLD, said the variety has a beautiful ruby red blush on a bright orange/yellow background.
“It is a naturally occurring variety that appeared as one branch on a Kensington Pride (Bowen mango) tree on the farm. It has Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) and after 14 years of testing, trialing and developing more trees, we will now finally see some commercial volumes to go to the market,” said Nardi.
“The fruit looks amazing when ripe. It has a strong, sweet and succulent flavour that the Kensington Pride is famous for and of course is loved by Australian consumers. It is a real delicacy that will satisfy the fussiest of mango lovers with its strong aroma, flavour that is consistently richer and more intense, Kensington Pride and its low fibre flesh.
“It is a true taste sensation that will exceed your expectations. It’s a great looking and great eating variety and I think it has a fantastic future and mango lovers will really enjoy them.”
Ruby Gold will be available exclusively in Woolworths stores from late November to late December. Over the past few years Woolworths has tested trial volumes and conducted Sensory Tasting Panel tests in which Ruby Gold performed exceptionally well and had fantastic feedback, according to Favco QLD.
“It’s an exciting time for the industry and mango consumers and we look forward to the future and increasing the supply volumes with Woolworths,” said Nardi.
