Western Australia (WA) and the Northern Territory (NT) have come to an important bilateral. This agreement will allow mangoes from the NT to return into WA. The suspension was initiated due to fears of an invasion of the Queensland fruit fly, an economic pest of major significance. Mango grower must be doing a happy dance right now! After the implementation of stringent new biosecurity protocols, their products have recently re-entered the profitable WA market.
The Northern Territory is famous for supplying about half of Australia’s mangoes. One of these growers is Katherine-based Marie Piccone, who usually faxes around 20 per cent of her mango crop to WA. The recent agreement means she can prepare for this year’s harvest with confidence, as she noted, “I’m so relieved that we are going to have access to the Western Australia market. There are a lot of mango lovers in Western Australia who are probably quite relieved as well.”
Background on Market Suspension
For the past few decades, Western Australia has kept rigorous quarantine protocols to stop Queensland fruit fly from getting through their borders. These are common-sense measures when you care about the survival of local ag. In late 2023 WA intervened and suspended market access for NT mangoes. They raised compliance issues and expressed concerns on the introduction of the fruit fly. In September 2023, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority announced that it would withdraw dimethoate, a post-harvest treatment dip for mangoes. Consequently, the suspension was implemented.
In 2024, a stopgap, ad-hoc program was introduced against the backdrop of dramatic and sudden shifts in post-harvest chemical treatments. Though this experience was difficult, growers such as Piccone were still looking to the future and anticipating more productive partnerships with WA buyers. The interim calamities even allowed for the use of fumigants like dimethyl-bromide under an experimental exemption.
New Biosecurity Protocols Established
WA and NT just made a deal that led to new biosecurity protections. These updates will make it possible for certain mango varieties to be exported again. At the moment, the only four varieties—Honey Gold, R2E2, Calypso, Kensington Pride—allowed for export from NT to WA. This short list will hopefully grow as these new protocols learn to prove efficacy and safety standards in their long-term implementation.
Sally Heaton, NT chief plant health officer, said they were in the process of rolling out these new protocols. She highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Mango growers — all of a sudden — who had contracts signed with suppliers in WA, couldn’t send them,” emphasizing the impact of previous restrictions on local farmers.
Economic Implications for Growers
The NT mangoes’ return to WA is projected to inject more than $2 million into the local economy. Barry Doran, a local buyer, expressed optimism about the influx of mangoes, saying, “I think it’s good news for the growers that want to come in from Katherine.” Demand has exploded all over WA! While one grower in Katherine might be able to ship a maximum of 20 pallets a day.
With the mango harvest season just days away, growers are celebrating upon hearing the news. These new biosecurity measures now allow for same-day exports. Beyond halting current harm, they open doors to future growth in the industry. Mitchael Curtis, another grower, emphasized the difficulty of farming while following highly strict regulations. He asserted his belief in the need for sustainable farming practices which stop using dangerous pesticides.
