##MP##
Warmer than average winter weather has led to haphazard and late flowering of mango trees in Queensland’s largest growing district of Mareeba-Dimbulah.
Decent cold snaps are required to bring on flowering, without which there is no fruit set.
Over the three months of winter, mean minimum temperatures for Mareeba were more than three degrees higher than the 70-year average.
##BA##
Mareeba mango grower and FNQ Growers President, Joe Moro, told Tropic Now the resulting blooms ahead of the traditional October harvest is a mixed bag.
“There are good spots and there are some very below average spots and everything in between,” he said.
“One of the things we are noticing is it’s a bit later as well.”
##PQ##
The 2020/21 season was a disaster for many local growers, with winter frosts leading to low production.
Prices plummeted the previous year due to a harvesting overlap with the Burdekin and Bowen regions which created a glut.
For this summer’s prices, there are several factors at play.
Issues over the availability of international freight flights for mango exporters could see more fruit sent to the domestic market.
Whether demand is there to meet that supply could depend on lockdowns in the southern states easing for Christmas.
“The lockdown is a big factor and I really hope the Melbourne and Sydney markets are back up and running,” Mr Moro said.
“Having summer sporting and leisure events all helps.
Mr Moro said this year, the region is also still grappling with labour shortages.
However, he was clear that there’s never a good year for a smaller crop.
“A low crop and less workers is not the best,” he said.
“Yes, it might be easier to manage labour, but the labour issue is much more complicated than that.
“Farmers, like other industries, are feeling very uncertain.
“I have my legs crossed and my fingers crossed.”
The uncertainty for the mango season also follows a second tough year for the region’s lime growers, who have again copped a hit because of restaurant and bar closures in lockdown areas.
Main points
- The flowers on FNQ mango trees are sparse and blooming late
- It follows a warmer than average winter in the Mareeba-Dimbulah region
- Lime growers have also had a tough year due to lockdowns in Sydney and Melbourne
