Mango farmers of Bowen Burdekin speak out on artificial ripening of fruits

Producers in the Bowen Burdekin region have condemned an artificial ripening technique, saying it is compromising quality and the reputation of the industry.

Rebecca and Robert Hold at their stall R and R Fruit and Vegetables at the Bowen Markets on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Shoppers are being urged to choose wisely when shopping for mangoes this Christmas, with producers warning one widespread practice is damaging fruit quality and poses a risk to the overall industry.

The self-described “honest farmers” have condemned what they say is a widespread ripening technique that involves using gas to force mangoes to ripen early.

Bowen Burdekin mango farm owner Peter Le Feuvre is an advocate for leaving fruit to mature naturally on the tree, and said interfering came at a cost.

“Some growers pick and ripen early because the supermarkets are pushing them for it and the Tablelands area is notorious,” he said.

“The fruit looks beautiful but it is very disappointing to eat.”

Western Sydney University’s post-harvest expert and veteran industry consultant Professor Barry McGlasson said despite the concerns, using ethylene to ripen fruit was completely safe.

“There’s no danger at all,” he said.

“We are just using the same compound as the fruit is using itself (to ripen naturally).”

Burdekin farmer Peter Le Feuvre

Mr Le Feuvre said the Burdekin Bowen region was known for producing a superior eating fruit, with a stronger and sweeter aroma.

“Bowen mangoes taste better, but have a duller appearance,” he said.

Mango farm in Bowen Burdekin on December 14, 2022. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

Mr Le Feuvre said in a further effort for maintain the superior quality of his fruit, he also implemented rotational livestock grazing and has cut out all herbicides at his property, Deane Farms.

“We reduced our chemical use and stopped using herbicides all together about 10 years ago,” he said.

“It creates better tasting fruit and it hasn’t affected our yields.”

He supplies directly to online customers and said bypassing the middleman means he didn’t have to compete with other producers.

“Our mangoes don’t look perfect, but once people taste them, they don’t worry if they have a couple of marks on them,” he said.

Robert and Rebecca Hold have run a fruit and vegetable stall at the Bowen markets for 19 years, and say using ethylene to ripen mangoes “makes them taste weird.”

Rebecca and Robert Hold at their stall R and R Fruit and Vegetables at the Bowen Markets on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Picture: Katrina Lezaic

“I know if they’re gassed, they get soft quick,” Mr Hold said.

“They’re tasteless and we avoid them.

“We don’t sell anything gassed here.”

Australia’s mango season produced high volumes this year, but a usual midway glut brought prices down.

Mr Hold said farmers who used ethylene wanted to get “the big price and get into the market early.”

“The mangoes are sent to the city and they are gassed there and they test them with a probe to see how sweet they are,” he said.

“Then sometimes they end up dumping semi-trailer loads of them,” he said.

Mr Hold sad he believed “people know a good mango when they see one.”

“Ours are from a farm in Proserpine,” he said.

“I just go with where we get the good ones.”