23.12.2022
Success for Australian Mangoes in Export Market Access Applications
The Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) is pleased to announce that the International Market Access Assessment Panel (IMAAP) has supported its market improvement and access applications for mango exports to the USA and India using irradiation pathways. Both applications will now enter the country-specific pool and await the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s potential prioritisation for international trade negotiation.
The Australian mango industry is at a stage of significant growth potential. Despite disruption over the past two years caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic and poor seasonal conditions, the industry has shown consistent year-on-year export growth over the past decade. Australian mango export is valued at AU$30 million a year with more than 7,000 tonnes being exported before the pandemic. As global economies slowly recover from the pandemic, the Australian mango industry finds itself in a unique position to recover recent export declines and maintain growth by capitalising on global demand for healthy, quality products such as mangoes.
The Australian mango industry has the opportunity to pursue new and rapidly growing export markets as well as expand presence in markets where strong demand for Australian mangoes already exists. The ability to gain access to new markets and maintain and improve access conditions to existing markets is crucial for the ongoing viability and growth of the Australian Mango industry.
Through work with Hort Innovation, India and the USA have been identified as key priority export markets in the new Mango Export Strategy (2022-2026).
On October 24th 2022, the AMIA’s market access application to India using the irradiation pathway and the market improvement application seeking to improve the current irradiation pilot program with the USA were supported by the International Market Access Assessment Panel (IMAAP). The IMAAP is the independent panel which acts on behalf of the horticultural sector to provide transparent, unbiased and consistent market access advice to the Australian Government. More information on the IMAAP process can be found here.
India
Australia has not yet exported mangoes to India, however new bilateral trade arrangements are a positive sign for future exports. While Australian exports will not compete with domestic production due to alternative seasonality, quality and varieties, strong existing demand for mangoes in India is a positive indicator of future Australian exports. The Australian Mango Industry is well placed to capitalise on future market entry opportunities arising from progressing bilateral relations.
USA
Despite supply chain challenges due to COVID-19 in 2020, Australian mangoes saw a 167% increase in exported volume (196 tonnes exported to the US in 2021/22). Marine Empson, the AMIA Industry Development Manager said “The US is a key priority export market with strong growth potential and the proposed change would help the industry capitalise on this opportunity.”
Next steps
Applications approved by the panel are passed to the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for consideration and potential selection for future bilateral trade negotiations. This is a long-term endeavour and the AMIA will continue to work closely with Hort Innovation and the Department and provide support and advice when needed.
The Australian Mango Industry Association sees exports as a significant priority and will continue to work towards meeting the goals of the Mango Export Strategy and the needs of Australian mango farmers.
If you have any questions, please contact Industry Development Manager, Marine Empson.