A shipment of the first mangoes of the season have travelled from Katherine to Los Angeles.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They are the first Aussie mangoes to arrive on US shelves for the season.
The Kensington Pride variety mangoes have been grown and exported from Katherine by Manbulloo to their US supermarket customers, the result of four years perfecting their supply chain and perseverance, supported by the Department of Primary Industry and Resources.
Technical support to mango growers and exporters on market access, packaging and logistics has been developed through a 2013-2017 project which ultimately developed the mango export market to the USA for the first time.
The Northern Territory produces and supplies over half of Australia's mangoes - many of those from Katherine.
The mango industry is worth nearly $90 million to the Territory in the domestic market but very few are exported overseas, as it takes substantial planning and persistence to consistently supply high-quality fruit to international markets.
The Australian delicacy is very attractive to the discerning American customer and Manbulloo have spent significant time and resources to ensure their mangoes go from farm to consumer while maintaining a quality Territory mango experience.
Last week Manbulloo mangoes were on display at PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim, California, one of the biggest international fresh produce and floral trade marketing conventions, where 22,000 delegates from 60 countries were able to see, taste and talk about Territory mangoes.
Manbulloo also export their mangoes to China, South Korea, Japan and Canada.
The 2019 Northern Territory mango season, based on current industry forecast, is on track for a slight increase on last year.
Primary Industry and Resources Minister Paul Kirby said: "Like laksa and fishing, mangoes are an absolute Territory favourite, we're known here in the NT for our high quality fruit, and it's fantastic to see these reach the shelves of US supermarkets.
"Our domestic mango exports are extremely strong supplying over 50% of Australian mangoes, and the perseverance of growers like Manbulloo to consistently break into international markets is a reflection of the quality of the product and processes.
"The Territory posted an extremely pleasing record international export balance in 2019, and while mangoes might not have been our top export, they might well be our tastiest.
The Australian mango industry is one of the largest and most wide-spread horticulture industries across northern Australia, with more than 93 per cent of the national mango crop grown across four primary locations: Darwin and Katherine in the Northern Territory and Mareeba, Bowen and the Burdekin regions in Queensland.
Manbulloo supply chain manager and AMIA director, Karl Gygar said: "We're really proud not only of our domestic product, but to also our international export operations. Our Quality Manager Scott Ledger actually travelled to the US to monitor our first consignments this year.
"International export, particularly in the case of the US, is extremely hard work but it is also extremely rewarding when you get your supply chain right, and are able to deliver high-quality fruit around the world.
"Every country has different requirements and protocols and we're pleased to have worked with the Department of Primary Industry and Resources during this project, which sees our fruit in LA, and at the Fresh Fruit Summit."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.