Northern Territory (NT) mangoes will again have access to Western Australia (WA) after the two regions agreed on a permanent fruit fly management protocol. WA suspended NT mango imports in October 2024 due to concerns over compliance with treatment measures, following the suspension of post-harvest chemical use in 2023.
The new agreement replaces a temporary program that had been in place since 2024 and is now formally recognised at national and international levels.
Katherine grower, Marie Piccone, who sends about 20% of her production to WA, said: "I'm so relieved that we are going to have access to the Western Australia market. There are a lot of mango lovers in Western Australia who are probably quite relieved as well."
The NT produces about half of Australia's mango crop. Currently, only Honey Gold, R2E2, Calypso, and Kensington Pride varieties are cleared for shipment into WA, though industry representatives expect the list could expand over time.
Barry Doran, sales manager for a Perth-based distributor, highlighted the supply potential from Katherine compared with the smaller volumes available in Kununurra. "We probably average maybe 20 pallets a week out of Kununurra, and here we can get 20 pallets a day out of one grower in Katherine. So consistency in volume is probably the biggest factor in WA, and that's what we need," he said.
WA maintains strict biosecurity protocols to remain free of Queensland fruit fly. In September 2023, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority suspended dimethoate, previously used as a post-harvest dip, after residue concerns. This affected growers who had already signed supply contracts with WA buyers.
NT chief plant health officer Sally Heaton said: "Mango growers, all of a sudden, who had contracts signed with suppliers in WA, couldn't send them."
During the 2024 season, WA suspended NT access over compliance issues related to dimethyl-bromide fumigation trials. Vapour treatment was later introduced as an alternative, though capacity remained limited.
Some growers adjusted their sales strategies in response. Mitchael Curtis, who owns King's Farm near Katherine, decided against supplying WA last year due to the chemical requirements. "We're trying to get a real good balance in our orchard of good and bad insects, then they come out and say we have to nuke the whole orchard with these horrible sprays and that mucks up our whole farming strategy," he said. "It's a decision for us; some farmers are happy to spray. If we want to sell our fruit, we have to do what we have to do."
Source: ABC News