Exports of Queensland-bred Calypso® mangoes to China have increased this season despite the many recent challenges faced by growers, including unpredictable weather events and freight disruptions.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner said in what was a significant achievement for the mango industry, Perfection Fresh continued to grow exports of the Calypso variety to major Chinese cities, including Guangzhou and Shanghai.
“This is an outcome of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting our exporters to maintain and grow their markets,” Mr Furner said.
“Under the Growing Queensland’s Food Exports (GQFE) program, Perfection Fresh and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) co-invested more than
$250,000 to undertake mango consumer research during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.”
Mr Michael Simonetta, CEO, at Perfection Fresh said the insights gained through the consumer research continued to inform marketing strategies for the Calypso into China.
“Chinese consumers are very particular about the quality of their mangoes and it is a major barrier to purchase,” Mr Simonetta said.
“However, they perceive Australian produce to be of high quality, and mangoes in particular to have superior flavour and texture, often gifting them to family and friends.
“Consumers are buying more and since the pandemic they prefer to make their purchases online or at local specialist fruit stores.
“Apart from their superior taste and attractive blush colour, Calypso mangoes have the benefit of longer shelf life and remain firm for 7–10 days or more after ripening, which makes them ideal for export.
“With the support from the Queensland Government, we’re expecting to continue to boost our exports in the 2022-23 season, and we’ll be targeting other markets as well.”
The GQFE program is supported under the Queensland Government’s Reinvigorated Agriculture and Food Trade Initiative 2020-2024.
Projects funded under the program (extended to 2022 due to the pandemic) have also assisted macadamia, melon and strawberry producers to build business capability and increase exports to South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.
