Indian mangoes to arrive in Australia this week

Looks like the wait for Indian mangoes to arrive in Australia won't be a long one!

Source: Getty images

India, for the first time, is exporting mangoes to Australia. Indian businessmen have worked hard to get all the formalities underway to expand the opportunities for the products and soon Australians will be able to enjoy the sweet fruit all year round.

One of the companies that is exporting mangoes to Australia is Kay Bee Exports. While talking to SBS Punjabi, the CEO of Kay Bee Exports, Mr Kaushal Khakhar said that the process that lead to this opportunity was foolproof. The company had to follow the standard international quarantine treatment of fruit in order to get the export process underway.

Listen to Mr Kaushal Khakhar's full interview with SBS Punjabi below:

Mr Kaushal Khakhar, CEO Kay Bee Exports Source: Kay Bee Exports

"What I understand is that both the Indian government and the Australian government were keen to have this but because some formalities, it took a long time to actually come through," Mr Khakhar said. 

"It came through in last September so we are now well prepared for starting our season in April this year."

400 boxes of mangoes are expected to land in Australia this week.

Mr Khakhar said that the first shipment of mango fruit can be expected in Australia as soon as this week. He said that although the Australian mango is good and of a different taste, the Indian mango is equally flavourful and will be very well appreciated in Australia.

"Because Australians grow mangoes they have a very good understanding and expectation from a good mango," explains Khakhar. "I think that works very well for Indian mango.”

Rich Landholders Reap Billions From Tax Loophole Meant For India's Poor Source: Bloomberg

Mr Khakhar agreed that pricing will be a challenge for this fruit in Australian market as the imported fruit is likely to be more expensive than the locally grown option. 

“Anything which is air-flown, especially from long distance, will have to deal with the price challenge,” he says.

“I think it will even do better in Australia than in the US.”

But Mr Khakhar is confident that because mango is a specialty fruit and will be available in the opposite season to the Australian-grown products, there will be some room for it in the Australian market for people to appreciate it.

He agreed though that it will take time to build the scale and volume because people are conscious of high-priced fruits.

Citing an example from US, he said that the first shipment in US started with 40 to 50 turns in the first year but after ten years has crossed the thousand mark. “I think it will even do better in Australia than in the US," he says.

Source: Getty images

Mr Khakhar said that they will try to get their mangoes to all the major cities of Australia and will try to cater to not only the Indian community in Australia but the Australian community overall.

“We will be looking at selling our mangoes to as many connoisseurs as we can get,” he says.

So how many mangoes can we expect in the first shipment to Australia? According to Mr Khakhar, 400 boxes of mangoes are expected to land in Australia this week.

"The minimum lot size is generally 400 and it can go up to a thousand boxes depending on customer preference," says Mr Khakar.

"I think a lot of warmth is being shared between the two countries, be it for cricket or be it for mangoes."

Mr Robert Grey from the Australian Mango Industry Association expressed similar views regarding the demand and supply of the fruit.According to him, it is ultimately going to be the consumers who will dictate if the fruit survives in the market and becomes a long term affair or not.

“The Australian consumers are used to buying mangoes during spring and summer," explains Grey. "It would be quite a different experience for them buying mangoes over the winter and certainly buying varieties that Indian mango growers grow."

"So time will tell how well the Australian consumers go for the Indian product."

Mr Khakhar however more is confident that the export of mangoes to Australia will very likely to scale up to good volumes very soon.

Source: Getty images

Talking about the trade relations between the two countries, Mr Khakhar said that this new export opportunity has opened up chances for other fruit growers and businessmen to start trade ventures with Australia, something that both countries are keen on.

"It is exciting times for both Indian and Australia in terms of trade prospects."

“I think the Australian government is keen to build more trade relations with India and vice versa," says Khakar.

"I think a lot of warmth is being shared between the two countries, be it for cricket or be it for mangoes.”

“I think it is exciting times for both Indian and Australia in terms of trade prospects.”

So, what variety of mangoes will be shipped to Australia?

Mr Khakhar said that even though Alphanso is a premium variety and very popular, it is a delicate fruit, therefore, they have chosen to export and promote the Kesar variety in Australia to start with. According to him, this variety travels very well and is a no head ache variety.

Source: EPA

“It is something that will be useful in the long-term distribution within Australia.”

If you happen to spot Indian mangoes in a market near you, do send us your pictures along with your experience regarding price and taste to [e-mail]