Mango harvest to get started

Mango trees in Broome are laden with fruit and there is a general buzz about town as people get excited about the potential of the oncoming harvest.

Mangoes from WA’s Kimberley region have already hit Perth markets, fetching a price of $120 a tray.

This price was due to fall soon for the summer, with the bulk of picking about to start in Kununurra in the next month, according to the Australian Mango Industry Association.

Information from the association said the region expected an above-average season for mangoes this year, after a desirable cool dry season, and little interference from insects and pests.

A nourishing wet season at the beginning of the year had supported local mango trees, to allow them to flourish in the humidity.

Broome mango grower and producer Graham McArthur, who grows mangoes at Coconut Wells, about 20km out of town, said he was expecting good yields this year.

“We have a very large fruit set and that appears to be the case all over,” he said.

“I would put it down to a good wet season, and we had a lengthy cold snap over June-July which helps the fruit set, so we are well up on mango stock this year.

“The bulk of our fruit goes to Perth markets, but as the law of supply and demand dictates the more there are, the less you get.”

Mr McArthur said the fruit was picked at the end of October or early November.