Bowen mango growers eye US export market

Queensland mango growers are eyeing off an extra 300 million customers as they look to avoid a repeat of last season’s summer glut when prices plummeted to $1.50 each.

Growers in the mango capital of Australia are hoping a new project could unlock American buyers and prevent another glut of too much fruit.

Bowen farmers last year were forced to sell their fruit for less than market value after warm weather ripened too mangoes and flooded the market.

Bowen Gumlu Growers chief executive Ry Collins said the state government’s new project was an attractive prospect to North Queensland farmers who were hoping for a new export market.

The Food and Fibre to Market Industry Partnerships Program (FF2M) will provide $52,000 to the Australian Mango Industry Association to develop mango industry supply chains to the United States.

Mr Collins said last year’s glut – which had resulted in varieties like Kensington Pride selling for $1.50 each and the popular Honey Gold dropping to $2.50 per mango – had made it difficult for farmers to break even.

Bowen special mangoes from Corrick Plains. Image: Contributed.

He said opening the US market would allow growers to reach a potential extra 300 million consumers.

Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner said the best way to boost Queensland’s export capacity was to partner with the industry.

“One in five jobs, is generated by exports” Mr Furner said.

¨Growing our international trade is critical to the future prosperity of our agriculture, fishing and forestry industries and regional communities.”

The AMIA will be hitting the road to introduce the FF2M program to farmers and growers, including in Bowen on September 11.

Mr Collins said the program would offer farmers workshops to help them understand the US market and be “ready to export”.

It is understood the selected participants will be announced soon.

Correction: This article earlier stated the FF2M was providing $600,000 to the AMIA. This funding is being distributed to eight different industry organisations, with the AMIA actually receiving $52,000.