Mango farmers in Australia hurt by hot weather

Masses of mangoes have been left to rot on the ground in Carnarvon after farmers struggled to pick the fruit within an unusually short harvest period. The picking season normally lasts six weeks but this year most of the fruit has been harvested in just two weeks. The temporary excess was caused by hot weather resulting in several varieties ripening simultaneously and has forced farmers to sell fruit for as little as US$4 a tray or about US$0.20 a mango. Retailers have warned that while consumers are currently enjoying cheaper prices they will be hit later in the week as shortages emerge. The Department of Agriculture and Food has urged growers to bury fruit fearing an outbreak of fruit fly.