There are three elite varieties of mango being offered for commercial development by the Queensland Government which have domestic and international potential.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the varieties were developed under the National Mango Breeding Program.
“We’re very optimistic about these mango varieties and the long-term opportunities they bring for Australian growers,” Mr Furner stated.
“We’re anticipating growers will be carefully watching the next stage of development of these varieties as a future option.”
On behalf of fellow research partners in the program, CSIRO, WAAA and NTDTIT, the Queensland Government has been given licensing rights.
As part of the licensing process, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries will license intellectual property associated with three mango varieties. The licensee is responsible for propagating, growing, and marketing the mangoes.
“This agreement builds on our existing track record, investing in innovation so Queensland farmers can be the best in the world.”
“The Department has more than 20 commercial licenses based on research outcomes including another popular mango variety, pineapples, macadamia, citrus and stone fruit varieties.”
It is expected that soon supermarket shelves will carry these unnamed mango varieties.
“There are already more than 20 producers growing the varieties on orchards in Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales,” Mr Furner added.
This season, he hopes to find small volumes of high-quality fruit available for the domestic market.
There is also the possibility of an export trial in Singapore, which would provide the successful licensee with valuable consumer feedback and supply chain data going forward.
Commercialization activities will be managed by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
With a successful business, an exclusive license agreement will likely be in place by 2022.
