Darwin is on track to produce the largest haul of mangoes ever recorded; harvesting over three million trays this season.

The statistic, recorded by the Australian Mango Industry Association on Darwin’s mango industry and annual harvest, comes off the back of a record season which can be attributed in part to the season starting earlier than normal.

Traditionally, the Northern Territory Mango season runs from October through until Christmas, however the season this year in some areas started as early as July. 

Additional crops coming to maturity this season for the first time has also impacted the higher harvest numbers which are excepted to be sustained if not improved in seasons to come.

The record Darwin crop has rapidly increased over the past few seasons, with production almost doubling since 2016.

Mango growers have rallied in the face of adversity in order to record the mega crop, with some growers in the Humpty Doo area being severely impacted by fire right before picking was scheduled to commence. 

Northern Territory mangoes supply over 50% of all mangoes across Australia, with some NT varieties being the most sought after both in Australian and overseas. 

The season started off with a bang with a tray of Territory mangoes going under the hammer for $25,000 at a charity auction in Brisbane earlier this year.

Quotes from Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby:

“We know the Territory bats above our average when it comes to our Primary Industry producers and the quality of our products, our mango industry is definitely no exception.

“Worth over $90 million to the Territory economy each year, Territory mangoes are truly a delight, and locals, interstaters and even people overseas look forward to the short, but sweet, season each year where they are in abundance.

“The mango industry employs a great deal of seasonal workers and many farms have a proud history of welcoming the same workers back year on year, a testament to the strength of our local operations not just as producers, but as employers too. 

Quotes from CEO of the Australian Mango Industry Association, Robert Gray: 

“The Darwin region producing over three million trays is the biggest season on record.

“As plantings of multiple varieties have matured, this has also contributed to the increase in supply. 

“Next season we expect this volume will grow even further, as more plantings reach maturity.

“Consumers are the ones to benefit from this, with having the king of fruits available for longer and having a choice in what they want to buy. Whether that be some of the crunchy green eating varieties to put in a salad, or the more common varieties; Kensington Pride, R2E2, Calypso or Honey Gold to slice, dice and demolish.”

Media Contact: Hannah West 0436 641 1085