The Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) is partnering with the Queensland Government to boost mango exports to the United States of America as part of the new Food and Fibre to Market: Industry Partnerships Program (FF2M).

The AMIA has successfully secured matched funding from the Queensland Government to enhance marketing opportunities with the USA. The project will support two Queensland-based mango businesses to export their Aussie grown mangoes to the USA.

AMIA industry development manager Marine Empson, said the two selected businesses will share their learnings and experience with the broader industry at the National Mango Conference in May 2024.

The project will also deliver a growers/exporters guide to the USA, a webinar, travel for a United States buyer to Queensland and targeted marketing activities in the USA.

Ms Empson said the USA is a key priority export market with strong growth potential, however there are challenges to export. The primary issue is the continuity of supply and therefore it is critical that more mango growers get involved and start supplying this market.

“The USA is a protocol market and in addition to its own requirements regarding varieties, quality and maximum residue limits, technical phytosanitary restrictions are in place to ensure pests of quarantine concerns are managed.

“The process can be daunting and small to medium sized businesses often do not have the resources to plan and implement the necessary steps to meet USA market requirements.”

She said the development of this market has been left to ‘pioneer’ growers/exporters and industry now needs to encourage entry level exporters to capitalise on the opportunities available.”

Export of Australian mangoes to the USA began in 2015. Despite supply chain challenges due to COVID-19 and soaring airfreight costs, Australian mangoes saw a 167% increase in exported volume and a 210% increase in value (AU$2,162,217 in 2021/22) in the US.

Ms Empson said there are niche market channels in the USA, prepared to pay a substantial premium for the superior appearance and eating quality of Australian mangoes.

“Growers often feel intimidated by the prospect of exporting. This project aims to give growers a greater understanding of the US market. The development of tools and resources, as well as growers sharing their experience will hopefully help expand the Australian mango market in the United States,” she said.

Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries acting deputy director general Elton Miller said the Queensland Government’s support will assist in further developing mango industry supply chains to the United States and improve growers’ export capability.

“Queensland produces the world’s best mangoes. This project provides an important opportunity for our growers to expand their knowledge and for their businesses to capitalise on the potential profits to be found in exporting to a significant market such as the US,” Mr Miller said.