New Queensland facility boosts Australian mango exports
Posted by editor (editor) on Jan 14 2010
2010 >>

Australia’s capacity to export mangoes to Japan and China has increased significantly thanks to a new Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) facility at Giru in North Queensland.

VHT helps to control the problem of fruit fly and is critical to market access in Asia.

Acting Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Peter Lawlor said in the first week of operation at the new facility 10 tonnes of mangoes were treated and exported to customers in Japan.

“Previously there were only two VHT facilities in Australia – one near Darwin and the other near Mareeba,” the Minister said.

“Another important VHT facility is now under construction in South East Queensland, which will boost our export capacity even further.”

The Minister said the Giru VHT facility is operated by Manbulloo Pty Ltd on its Horse Shoe Lagoon farm.

“It was given operational approval on 13 November 2009 by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan,” he said.

“The first shipment of mangoes from this site landed in Tokyo one week later.

“The facility was also inspected on 23 November by AQIS and a representative from the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) of the People’s Republic of China.

“Both AQSIQ and AQIS have now approved the facility, so the first shipment of Queensland mangoes from the facility to China was sent prior to Christmas.”

Mr Lawlor said the first sea freight trial shipment is also set to leave Australian shores for China in early January ready for the festivities of Chinese New Year.

“The opening of the new VHT facility built on the efforts of the Queensland Government over the past three seasons to develop new markets and expand existing markets,” he said.

“The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)
is working with mango producers and exporters, interstate governments and government agencies to expand export opportunities in Japan, China, UK, Europe, New Zealand, Middle East, Singapore and Hong Kong.

“Training material has been produced on best practice handling systems and shipments are being monitored to improve product handling.

“Market and supply chain analysis is being conducted to develop more effective relationships with supply chain partners, and improve our knowledge of the market for mangoes in China and Japan.

“The value of the Queensland mango industry last season was approximately $50 million.
“Exports from Queensland totalled 2618 tonnes at a value of $11.8 million.

“The project aims to increase the volume of mangoes exported to 10 per cent of total mango production by June 2011.

“We have already achieved a number of successes, including the first direct exports to China, modifications to the China quarantine protocol to enable easier access, and establishment of a new export chain to Japan.

“We expect to further boost exports in Asia with the trialling of sea freight shipments to Japan and China and continuing in-market research and monitoring of shipments.”

Managing Director of Manbulloo Ltd, Marie Piccone said mangoes from the Katherine farm in the Northern Territory had been exported in early October.

“We leased the VHT facility near Darwin to treat the Katherine mangoes and then transport them in refrigerated trucks to Brisbane for air freighting to Japan and China,” Ms Piccone said.

“Harvesting at the Katherine farm has now finished and we have switched the focus to our Queensland operation.”

The mango export project is part of DEEDI’s Global Markets Initiative and involves the Australian Mango Industry Association, Horticulture Australia Ltd, NT and WA governments, Biosecurity Australia, AQIS and Trade Queensland.

For more information on the Global Markets Initiative, visit www.deedi.qld.gov.au

Last changed: Jan 14 2010 at 9:15 AM