Australian mangoes arrive in China

China has received a batch of Australian mangoes for the first time since the approval of new pest control regulations.
700 airfreighted trays of Australian Calypso mangoes arrived in China this week, the first consignment of the fruit to arrive in the country since new quarantine procedures were agreed between the two nations, in a bid to take advantage of the US$300m (€204m) Chinese mango market.
The move was made possible following the implementation of protocols requiring the registration of orchards and vapour heating treatment of the fruit, in order to prevent the spread of pests such as the seed weevil.
The Calypso mangoes, distinguishable by their highly blushed skin and small seed, were packed by the Australia-based Harvest Company, part of producer, grower and marketer OneHarvest.
Sarah Faris, export manager of The Harvest Company, said: "We worked hard with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to ensure that the protocol was finalised, and since then are ensuring that all procedures are followed to the letter."