MANGO producers in the Katherine region have their fingers crossed that an ambitious plan to double export sales over the next three years works.
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Australia currently exports between 4000 and 5000 tonnes of mangoes each year but the federal government’s new mango export plan, if successful, would result in the figure spiking to between 8000 and 10,000t by the 2016-17 production season.
The plan will focus on four key areas, including industry cohesiveness and improving current export protocols, and federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce visited Katherine on November 21 to meet with Northern Territory Primary Industry and Fisheries Minister Willem Westra van Holthe, speak to producers and unveil the strategies needed to achieve the targets.
“The Australian mango industry is booming,” Mr Joyce said.
“In 2012-13, Australian mango growers produced fruit valued at more than $93 million.
“But we’re always looking to expand and bring home better returns to the farm gate.
“That’s why I’m proud to be today unveiling the strategic export plan for the Australian mango industry to expand our trade to more international markets and to grow the markets we do have.”
Last financial year, Australian exported 212 tonnes of mangoes to Korea, Japan and China, with tariff reductions under recently agreed trade deals set to make the markets even more appealing to local producers.
About 800,000 trays of mangoes have been produced in the Katherine and Mataranka regions this season.
Australian Mango Industry Association chairman Gavin Scurr was also in Katherine for the announcement and said the export boost would have noticable impacts in production areas.
“The mango industry and northern Australia will see other benefits that are a direct result of increased exports,” he said.
“These benefits include the creation and support of jobs, increased investment in northern Australia and greater profit margins for growers.”