In supermarkets this summer, customers might see brightly-coloured mangoes called Yess!, AhaHa! and Now!
Key points:
- Manbulloo Mangoes has named three new varieties of mangoes and started their commercial rollout
- The mangoes were developed around 25 years ago
- Australia’s mango harvest is ramping up, but yields this year are down
They are the long-awaited names given to three mango varieties developed about 25 years ago through the National Mango Breeding Program (NMBP).
After years of setbacks, the commercialisation rights to these mangoes were awarded to the company Manbulloo Mangoes in 2022.
Manbulloo’s managing director, Marie Piccone, said these mangoes looked great, tasted great and had a strong aroma.
“I think they’ve got a tremendous future,” she said
“There are new plantings going in [across northern Australia], so we can meet the demand as it grows.
“We’re sending samples to export markets and will try and grow with demand here in Australia and global markets”.
‘I’ve always believed in them’
In 2010, Raymond Bin, a mango grower in Far North Queensland, was one of the first farmers to sign up and plant the hybrid varieties — which at that stage were still referred to by their plant breeding codes of NMBP 1201, NMBP 1243 and NMBP 4069.
He said after years of challenges, it was exciting to see the commercial rollout.
“The names are different, but they’re catchy, and I think it’s a great idea,” he said.
“My belief in these mangoes has never changed, and since Manbulloo has come on board, it’s been positive, and as a grower, I’m more than happy.”
Mr Bin said in a year when mango yields were down, his Yess! and AhHa! mangoes were performing well.
“They do seem to be a bit more consistent in having a good crop each year, so that’s a positive, and it makes you glad to have taken the step and given these varieties a go.”
Ian Baker, who was involved in the early days of the NMBP said he could remember first eating the varieties in the late 1990s.
He said to see them being named and rolled out commercially was significant.
“I think the former NT Agriculture Minister Kon Vatskalis had a good idea when he suggested one of these mangoes get called Kylie after Kylie Minogue,” he said.
“But that was like 13 years ago, which shows you how long ago this process has been.
“But to be honest, I don’t know much about the names. I’m more interested in the mechanics of getting these mangoes out there because it’s not an easy process, and I think Marie Piccone and Manbulloo can make it work.”
According to Manbulloo, the three varieties are currently grown on farms in Darwin, Kununurra, Carnarvon, Gin Gin, Burdekin/Bowen and Mareeba/Dimbulah.
The overall mango season in Australia is ramping up, with 415,000 trays picked last week.
Yields are down in most areas, especially Katherine in the Northern Territory, which is looking like having its smallest mango crop since 2012.
Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday.
Posted , updated
