Cool project takes NQ mangoes on fruitful journey

Keeping exported mangoes cooler for better freshness is just one project to be showcased at the Hort Connections Conference which started in Brisbane today.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said it was the largest horticulture conference held in Australia this year, with around 3,000 delegates catering to buyers and sellers from every segment of the fresh produce and flower supply chain.

“The Queensland Government will be profiling our work along the horticulture supply chain and highlighting an export development project conducted in partnership with Montague Fresh, Manbulloo and Glen Grove Orchards,” Mr Furner said.

“Our people have been working to reduce temperature variations for sea and air consignments of summerfruit, mangoes and lemons to a number of Asian destinations.

“Specialised monitoring equipment has tracked actual changes in temperature along the journey from here to Asia.

“We have used that information to identify “hot spots” and make recommendations for how our iconic mangoes should be packed and transported to ensure they are in the best shape on arrival at their final destination.

“By ensuring the fruit is adequately cooled each step of the way from a North Queensland packing shed to Beijing supermarket, the mangoes arrive in China with very little change in colour and are actually firmer which increases their shelf life.

“It’s this kind of painstaking research that supports our growers in providing consistently great produce for local and overseas markets.”

Hort Connections is a partnership between the Produce Marketing Association Australia-New Zealand (PMA), the peak body for the fresh produce industry, and AUSVEG, the peak body for the national vegetable industry, along with Protected Cropping Australia, Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia, Growcom and Onions Australia, among others.

For more information, visit www.hortconnections.com.au

MEDIA: Brock Taylor - 0427 018 178