As the holiday season approaches, Australians are being cautioned to expect fewer mangoes on the supermarket shelves this Christmas. Queensland, known as the mango heartland of Australia and responsible for over 40 percent of the nation’s mango supply, is grappling with a significant reduction in yields due to a warmer-than-average winter. This unexpected challenge has been met with concern from both mango producers and consumers alike.
Sandy Cove Mango Plantation owner Brad Bowen, who is at the forefront of this issue, explains that the culprit behind the reduced mango yields is the unusually warm winter temperatures. Warmer weather has led to poor flowering rates across the board, affecting various mango varieties, including the beloved R2E2 and Kensington Pride. These varieties have reported reduced yields of approximately 60 percent.
“The concern arises from a confluence of factors – a mild winter and a bountiful crop last year, with this year’s less chilly winter failing to induce fruiting in the trees,” Mr Bowen said.
Situated in the northern region of Queensland, between Bowen and Townsville, he noted that reduced yields were a cause for concern among mango farmers in the state. They had been anticipating a return to normalcy after a challenging 2022-23 season. Despite experiencing a “massive crop” the previous summer, Mr. Bowen explained that the majority of farmers incurred losses due to an oversupply of mangoes.
Although the diminished yields may lead to lower stock levels and elevated prices during the upcoming summer, Mr. Bowen implored mango enthusiasts to bear in mind that farmers also have to cover their operational expenses.
