Despite some issues with rain and heat across some of the Australian mango growing regions over the past week, it did not stop the industry from dispatching half a million trays to market as volumes continue to rise.
The trays produced were 508,000 which is the highest this season, which is an increase from 420,000 trays the previous week, according to the weekly My Mango Crop Forecast data from the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA). It is expected to continue to climb, with the predicted peak of the season coming in the first week of December with 812,000 trays.
From a regional point of view, Darwin had the peak of its season last week with 373,000 trays dispatched, before dropping back to 206,000 trays this week.
"Drier conditions have given growers a break from the rain and the opportunity to pick again," the AMIA said. "However, a lot of the fruit has been downgraded due to the amount of rain that the region experienced a couple of weeks ago. The bulk of the crop is now coming off the trees after the Darwin region hits its seasonal peak."
Katherine is ramping up production, more than doubling last week’s volumes to 121,000 trays produced, with the peak of the season three weeks away, with a one-week total of more than half a million trays expected.
"More growers have started harvesting, as dispatched volumes are on the rise," the AMIA said. "The Kensington Pride variety represented most of the fruit picked in Katherine over the past few weeks, but R2E2 and Calypso mangoes are now being sent to market as well. Volumes of fruit coming out of Katherine are expected to rise quickly."
It's a similar story in Kununurra where dispatched volumes are expected to ramp up over the next couple of weeks. The hot weather remains in the region, with temperatures consistently over 40 degrees last week.
In Queensland, however, it has been the rain and wet weather that has impacted growers at the very start of their season.
"Rain and afternoon storms continue to roll through the Bowen/Burdekin area for many growers, with it appearing to concentrate around the coast from Gumlu to Rita Island," My Mango reported.
"High humidity levels are keeping moisture locked into the ground and the fruit. For Mareeba/Dimbulah, the season has started earlier than initial forecasts, with some Calypso trays dispatched. No further fruit is expected this week. Growers have advised of some patchy storms in the area, and the heat of last week has pushed fruit growth further. Down in South East Queensland, isolated hail storms have impacted some growers, which has compounded the damage from previous weather events. There are still reasonable chances of further rain this week."
The AMIA added: "the Carnarvon region has experienced a good flowering, however a bit patchy, and the trees are displaying different stages of development. Fruit is starting to set, variety dependent, with some early fruit reaching pea to golf ball size, although recent strong winds may have caused some fruit to drop. While this season could bring decent volumes, there is still a lot of uncertainty, as it will depend on the weather for the upcoming weeks – at this stage, harvest might start a bit later than usual."
This week not only saw 508,000 trays dispatched nationally, but it is just the second time that this year's totals have jumped above last season. With the forecasts published until the end of the calendar year, it is estimated that this year's production will remain above 2021/22. Despite the South East Queensland and Western Australian forecasts still to be added; by early March the total trays to market is expected to reach at least 8.7million trays nationally.
For more information
Australian Mango Industry Association
Phone: +61 7 3278 3755
[email protected]
www.mangoes.net.au