The Australian Mango industry kicked off the pre-season regional grower workshops this week in the Northern Territory.
Robert Gray, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Mango Industry Association said that he was delighted with the attendance.
“Mango growers representing 90% of Territory production attended the workshops. Last season, with the support of Horticulture Innovation Australian, the industry implemented a number of programs that were focused on mango quality, engagement and communication. These programs were aimed at lifting the long term profitability of our growers. To see Territory growers embrace the program is a testament to their commitment to our industry and to delivering the best eating mangoes to our consumers,” he said.
Representatives from major Australian retailers Woolworths and Aldi were in attendance and emphasised the importance of a strong and united mango industry and the focus of mango quality. They were joined by wholesalers and exporters.
Topics discussed at the workshops included:
• Highlights of the 2015/16 marketing program
• Industry quality specifications
• Crop Forecast for the NT
• This season’s export program
• Access to new varieties
The workshops, held in Darwin and Katherine, were an opportunity for mango growers to hear the latest outcomes of mango research, including work on crop manipulation trials being undertaken in the NT
The Northern Territory’s season is just starting to heat up with small volumes of early season fruit arriving in the wholesale markets. Good volumes of mangoes will be available in store from mid- September.
Queensland’s regional grower workshops will be held in September in Mareeba on the 17th September and Bowen and Ayr on the 21st and 22nd September.
