2 November 2022
The Territory's bountiful mango season will bring in nearly 1 million more trays compared to last year's haul, with producers making the most of a healthy dry season.
It is predicted 4.76 million trays of mangoes will be picked from this mango season, a significant increase on last year's crop yield of 3.8 million trays.
In the coming weeks the mango harvest in Katherine will peak with more than 840,000 trays to be picked in the last fortnight in November, while more than 390,000 trays of mangoes were picked in the last week of October in Darwin.
The mango industry is worth $128 million to the Northern Territory economy with the value of this year's crop still being calculated.
The Territory's crop represents just over half of Australia's total mango harvest, a portion of which will be picked to be exported to the Asian and American markets.
The late and cooler than usual Top End dry season stimulated a higher number of flowers on mango trees which increased the potential yield of the mango crop.
Around 2,000 pickers are employed by mango farmers during the harvesting season, but the Territory Labor Government is still working to attract more workers to its agriculture industry.
Maximising on this year's haul, the third instalment of the mango cup provides for an opportunity for cocktail waiters and waitresses to be mixed into delicious cocktails across bars in Darwin, adding to our city's vibrant food and drink scene.
Voting for the most popular cocktail ends on November 6, with the five finalists announced on 8 November.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agribusiness and Fisheries Paul Kirby:
"This year's bumper mango crop is a good result for growers in the Darwin and Katherine regions and has capitalised on the good growing conditions during the Dry Season.
"Having Territory grown produce used in such creative ways is a testament to the expertise and skill of the Mango Cup entrants.
"The Mango Cup is a great initiative which allows pubs and clubs to celebrate the delicious fruit in an innovative way."
Quotes attributable to NT Farmers CEO, Paul Burke:
"The 2022 harvest has provide a major boost for the Territory's mango industry.
"NT Farmers will continue to support the efforts of the NT Government to attract workers to the NT's agricultural sector.
"It is also great to see the delicious fruit being produce in the Top End being used in the Northern Territory."
Northern Territory Government
