Australia’s peak industry body for mangoes, Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA)/Australian Mangoes, will collaborate with Hort Innovation to drive a major win for growers, after successfully securing the Supply Chain Engagement Project (MG21500).

AMIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brett Kelly, said that having the peak industry body for mangoes lead the Hort Innovation project will benefit industry stakeholders, in particular growers, as there will be synergy between the key projects that AMIA manage, that all focus on ensuring a sustainable and profitable industry.

“I am very excited that we will lead this initiative. This project will tie-in with all the other work we are doing for Australia’s Mango Industry (together with our industry partners), that all aim to build and secure the industry’s future.

“The AMIA team is focused on working hard for our industry - the growers, retailers, consumers - everyone in our supply chain, to deliver great tasting fruit,” said Mr Kelly.

The objective of the Supply Chain Engagement Project (MG21500) is to develop and organise activities involving key supply chain stakeholders to build interest, excitement, and an understanding of the mango industry; ultimately to increase the demand and consumption of fresh Australian mangoes.

The Supply Chain Engagement Project (MG21500) supports the broader mango marketing programs (managed by Hort Innovation) and ties in with AMIA managed projects; National Mango Industry Communication Program (MG17004) and Building Best Management Practice Capacity for the Australian Mango Industry (MG17000). These projects are funded by Hort Innovation, using the mango research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Andrew Burns will begin as AMIA’s Supply Chain Engagement Manager immediately to ensure that the project, which was run by Hort Innovation while it was being tendered for, will continue to run smoothly, during the peak of the mango season.

Mr Kelly said, “I am excited to have Andrew join our team and have no doubt that he will deliver great outcomes for mango industry stakeholders and will be an asset to our team. He has a wealth of experience in marketing and sales roles.

“Andrew will be able to build on the fantastic work that Hort Innovation has been doing to get the project up and running this season, and that AMIA’s former marketing manager, Treena Welch, executed over previous seasons with retailers and other industry stakeholders throughout the supply chain,” said Mr Kelly.