Fresh fruit giant AGRIFresh is poised to produce more than 45% of the mango market share in WA when it hits commercial production next year, but Western Australia’s largest citrus company co-founder, Joseph Ling, explains that they got into mangoes by default.
With extensive citrus orchards already stretching as far as the eye can see over the Dandaragan plains just south of Badgingarra, Joseph couldn’t resist the opportunity to purchase the nearby 700 hectare property from Rewards Group when the managed investment scheme failed.
In what he describes as an exciting new project, the company has salvaged the
abandoned orchards and totally redeveloped the property they now call ‘Summergold’ enabling them to diversify into large-scale mango production as well as seedless lemons and mandarins.
“When the Rewards Group folded, they just turned off the water,” says Joseph. “The trees were completely defoliated when we took over, just sticks,” he recalls. It has taken the company four years and a staggering quantity of water to literally bring the 33,000 mango trees back to life. AGRIFresh brought in the experts to advise them on their new venture, also drawing on experience from Southern Mango Growers Group, SMango to help recover and manage the trees, which produced their first commercial crop last year.
The production they anticipate picking this year is barely a drop in the ocean in comparison to the estimated 50,000 trays the orchard is capable of producing.
“This year, the main reason we don’t have fruit is the prolonged winter and mild summer,” explains Joseph. It’s a terrible season for many growers in the southern region who are saying they have almost no fruit at all.
With his sights firmly on the future Joseph is positive, “This year the trees will rest, and come back stronger. Next year will be a bumper crop – everybody better be prepared!” he says.
The mango season in the ‘southern region’ is very short, typically lasting only 6 weeks. This year the fruit is also ripening later, and local mangoes grown here in Bindoon, Gingin and Dandaragan won’t be available until mid- March – almost a month ‘late’. While they want to ensure their local market is well-supplied, as a company the family owned AGRIFresh has always focussed on export, where returns are higher and more consistent. “In Asia, Australian produce is seen as green, clean and safe – we are able to command a premium price for our quality fruit,” says Joseph.
“Mango is a high-value fruit, and we will export them by air direct to Asia, starting with Hong Kong.” With short flight times, the coveted produce, often referred to as ‘king of the fruits’ will reach their destination within
2-3 days of being picked.
“We’re proud to market our Kensington Pride mangoes locally and overseas under the brand name ‘Beauti TM’ – as in the Aussie ‘You little Bewdi!” smiles Joseph. A fitting name for another fantastic, locally grown product from the company whose premium citrus brand Zestie TM is already well-known.
On April 1 you’ll be able to join Bindoon Primary School in celebrating our fabulous local mangoes as they launch their inaugural Mango Festival combined with the school fete.
