Freight flights boost to aid Territory mango farmers

THE Federal Government has stepped in to ensure Territory mango farmers who rely on airfreight will continue to have access to key international ­export markets.

The Federal Government has stepped in to ensure Territory mango farmers who rely on airfreight will continue to have access to key international ­export markets. Picture: Michael Franchi

THE Federal Government has stepped in to ensure Territory mango farmers who rely on airfreight will continue to have access to key international ­export markets.

The Territory is responsible for more than 50 per cent of Australia’s production and the Federal Government will announce today that it is pumping another $240 million into its International Freight Assistance Mechanism to support Territory and other Australian exporters get produce into overseas markets.

With international flight restrictions set to remain in place for the foreseeable future, extending the program until the end of the year will give NT mango producers certainty and ensure they continue to have options to get their goods to overseas customers.

COVID travel restrictions have meant most international flights out of Australia have been cancelled since March.

The Federal Government-supported flights have been critical to getting fresh produce overseas, particularly mud crabs and live coral fish out of the NT.

At the moment, under the program, fresh produce has been moved from Darwin to Brisbane and then overseas.

Getting mangoes out of the Territory will be a major focus of the program in the second half of the year.

MORE BUSINESS NEWS

Onshore gas industry ‘critical to the Territory’s future’: Liveris

Local contractors to get share of $253m NT Defence construction projects

Court orders NT cattle family be paid $2.9m for 2011 export ban decision

NT Farmers Association chief executive Paul Burke said federal funding could not come at a better time.

“This is positive news for us, given the instability ahead,” he said.

“We have a new cold storage facility opening at the Darwin Airport in October so that helps as well.

“If we have a good mango season and can’t get our produce out internationally, the local market would be saturated, impacting prices.”

“So this is welcome help from the Federal Government.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding inject­ion had provided an export lifeline to thousands of farmers, fishers and other exporters around Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With few international passenger flights at present, restoring supply chains has been vital to maintaining relationships between exporters and their customers around the world,” he said.

Amazing new NT News subscription offer: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

Federal Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the temporary program had already helped secure carriage of more than 36,000 tonnes of exports to 50 key international export destinations and had also supported the import of critical medical supplies.

“These freight flights are critical to getting produce out the door during these tough times and helping to keep our exporters in business and connected to their hard-won established global customers,” he said.