Produce Art has started shipping mangoes to the United States and Managing Director Rohan Bicknell realises the importance of the market, even if it is still growing with small volumes being shipped at present.
"It's one of the hardest markets that Australia has available, but it's one that we really need," he said. "We are limited with other destinations that we can send to, as it is a tedious exercise and there are lots of hoops to jump through but it is something that can get a great return back to the grower. It is something that has a good future for Australian mangoes."
Mr Bicknell says the fruit lands on the west coast before being shipped to other parts of the country, with the exception of Florida, and while the USA gets mangoes from other parts of the world including South America, the Australian produce is at the premium end of the market.
"A lot of the Asian community push it the most because they know how amazing Australian R2E2's are," he said. "They get a lot of mangoes out of South America and Central America, yet here they are paying crazy prices for Aussie mangoes. I guess they have to be a higher price because there's treatment involved, it is a premium pack and airfreight to the United States is more expensive than other countries. We wait until the fruit is perfectly mature before sending it, so we encourage the consumers to keep buying."
While other Australian exporters are also sending to the US, at the moment Produce Art is sending around two PMC pallets a week which is 10 tonnes however would ideally like to send more if he could find more grower willing to get involved in the trade.
"Los Angeles is a huge shipment hub for lots of fresh produce, so it is well set up to distribute nationwide," Mr Bicknell said. "We usually finish at the end of December. We would love to go longer as then we can target Chinese New Year but it has been difficult to get growers on board due to the requirements that they need to undertake to get certified for the American market."
Production-wise, mango season does throw up some challenges for the company, but Mr Bicknell says it is still important to provide an attractive and high-quality product to market.
"You have a big supply out of the Northern Territory, and they have extreme problems, with transport and labour," he said. "Then if the fruit comes late there are the weather issues as well. So, the fruit can sometimes be inconsistent which is unfortunate and it's just not worth the risk for someone like myself. For the US market, we try to start out of Queensland's Bowen region first and that will continue until we think the fruit doesn't have enough colour or is no longer a premium product anymore."
In terms of the R2E2 being the variety of choice, Mr Bicknell explains: "Other people have done other varieties, but I don't think there's been much success. R2E2 has remained the first choice for buyers over there as even after the treatment process and long transit it comes out tops in durability and natural beauty. We also have been working with growers who are very stringent on the correct maturity of R2E2s so our customers can have the best eating experience and keep coming back for more! The R2E2 mango has suffered in popularity due to its taste in recent years as a result of being picked too early before it reaches its full flavour potential it's really sad to see as when picked at the right time it can be a truly mouth-watering experience!"
For more information:
Rohan Bicknell
Produce Art
Phone: +61 409 907 626
[email protected]
www.produceart.com.au