Mr SETTER - 1996-10-16
As a result of the Northern Territory government's policy over the last couple of decades, we have seen considerable development in the horticultural industry, from the Alice Springs and Ti Tree regions through to Katherine and the Top End. We have seen an enormous growth in the mango industry around the Katherine and Darwin areas. Can the minister confirm that the Territory's mango industry is likely to produce the predicted 1 million cartons this season or has the projection been revised? What is the market response to the early season Territory fruit in light of last year's quality issues?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to advise that the early season fruit arriving from the Northern Territory on the southern markets is attracting prices well up from last year's, and is averaging
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between $40 to $45 per carton. This is a result of a combination of factors. Last year, concerns were expressed in the marketplace about the quality of the fruit coming from the Northern Territory. As a result of those concerns, there was a sharp decline in the price that Territory fruit attracted, and also a sharp decline in demand. As a result of those problems, the president of the Northern Territory Horticultural Association and his executive officer flew to Sydney to investigate the situation. They have established better marketplace links this year in terms of quality assurance of both fruit quality and post-harvest treatment.
In addition, with the assistance of the Department of Asian Relations, Trade and Industry, the Northern Territory Horticultural Association has established a generic quality assurance label, known as `Northern-A-Peel'. This label may be attached to boxes of fruit from approved packing sheds and orchards. What is showing in the market is that fruit carrying an assurance of first-class quality is attracting better prices. Although the Northern Territory Horticultural Association is not demanding that its members to be part of this process, many are now participating when they see the prices that the labelled fruit is attracting. I am told that the Queensland Mango Growers Association is interested in buying the trademark from the Northern Territory to allow it to enter into a quality assurance process that is accepted by the market, and a process that has a number of penalties or sanctions attached to it if producers place fruit on the market carrying this label which do not meet the very strict
criteria.
The Northern Territory Horticultural Association has independent inspectors to ensure that Territory fruit arriving in the marketplace with this label is of the highest quality. It is anticipated that production this year will be up from last year's 850 000 boxes to over 1 million boxes. However, that estimate is reliant on late flowerings developing into mature fruit. At this stage of the season, it seems there will be good results for Northern Territory mango producers. Queensland does not have its product in the marketplace yet and its fruit is not expected until later this month or early next month.
Let me close by congratulating the Northern Territory Horticultural Association on its initiative with the `Northern- A-Peel' trademark. The initiative has established Northern Territory fruit as a premium product and I trust that people involved with the promotion of the trademark will abide by its spirit to ensure the further growth and economic wellbeing of the mango industry.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am pleased to advise that the early season fruit arriving from the Northern Territory on the southern markets is attracting prices well up from last year's, and is averaging
Page 1702
between $40 to $45 per carton. This is a result of a combination of factors. Last year, concerns were expressed in the marketplace about the quality of the fruit coming from the Northern Territory. As a result of those concerns, there was a sharp decline in the price that Territory fruit attracted, and also a sharp decline in demand. As a result of those problems, the president of the Northern Territory Horticultural Association and his executive officer flew to Sydney to investigate the situation. They have established better marketplace links this year in terms of quality assurance of both fruit quality and post-harvest treatment.
In addition, with the assistance of the Department of Asian Relations, Trade and Industry, the Northern Territory Horticultural Association has established a generic quality assurance label, known as `Northern-A-Peel'. This label may be attached to boxes of fruit from approved packing sheds and orchards. What is showing in the market is that fruit carrying an assurance of first-class quality is attracting better prices. Although the Northern Territory Horticultural Association is not demanding that its members to be part of this process, many are now participating when they see the prices that the labelled fruit is attracting. I am told that the Queensland Mango Growers Association is interested in buying the trademark from the Northern Territory to allow it to enter into a quality assurance process that is accepted by the market, and a process that has a number of penalties or sanctions attached to it if producers place fruit on the market carrying this label which do not meet the very strict
criteria.
The Northern Territory Horticultural Association has independent inspectors to ensure that Territory fruit arriving in the marketplace with this label is of the highest quality. It is anticipated that production this year will be up from last year's 850 000 boxes to over 1 million boxes. However, that estimate is reliant on late flowerings developing into mature fruit. At this stage of the season, it seems there will be good results for Northern Territory mango producers. Queensland does not have its product in the marketplace yet and its fruit is not expected until later this month or early next month.
Let me close by congratulating the Northern Territory Horticultural Association on its initiative with the `Northern- A-Peel' trademark. The initiative has established Northern Territory fruit as a premium product and I trust that people involved with the promotion of the trademark will abide by its spirit to ensure the further growth and economic wellbeing of the mango industry.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016