Delivering high quality mangoes with consistent shelf life is no easy task!
A new case study video put together by the Serviced Supply Chains II (AM21000) project team at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries sheds light on how two mango industry leaders are doing just that.
The video features insights from Gavin Scurr, Managing Director of Piñata Farms who owns the marketing rights to the Honey Gold mango variety, as well as Dale Williams, Principal of Euri Gold Farms, who grows Honey Gold under license.
Together Gavin and Dale take viewers on their journey through the project, showcasing some of the key learnings and impacts to managing quality along the supply chain. “What motivated us to be part of another project with the Department, is the practical outcomes we’ve had from prior projects we’ve been involved in,” says Gavin. “We end up with something that is a practical solution to a problem we have in the supply chain.”
The growers discuss the challenges of variable supply chain handling on fruit quality and shelf life, and the benefits of monitoring consignments using real-time data loggers to track fruit conditions during transit.
“Last year some fruit was left out, and it got to over 30oC. It was actually for an export market. We are able to track where the fruit is, what has happened to the fruit, and it starts to put a bit of responsibility on the practices of those further down the supply chain,” Dale describes.
The latest research and development (R&D) conducted by the project team is highlighted in the video, including the development of innovative shelf life prediction algorithms. These tools could help supply chains move towards a first-expired, first-out system reducing waste and delivering more consistent quality for consumers. “The algorithms give us the confidence that the fruit will last the journey and deliver for our customers. The technology will help our ripeners prioritise consignments and fruit batches that need to be distributed first, to ensure we deliver sufficient shelf life each time,” says Gavin.
The Serviced Supply Chains II project (AM21000) is funded by the Hort Innovation Frontiers Fund, Avocado and Strawberry research and development levy, and contributions from the Australian Government, with co-investment from the Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victoria, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Northern Territory, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Piñata Farms Pty Ltd and Summerfruit Australia Ltd. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.