South east Queensland is on track to produce around 300 000 trays of mangoes despite recent rainfall, and Australia’s total mango production will still be close to 8 million trays, say industry experts. Experienced mango growers are dealing with an unusually wet week in Queensland, with rainfall as high as 30 mills in a day, and some more rain forecast, but there is not any reason to hit panic buttons yet, according to Boyd Arthur, Supply Development Manager for the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA).

Growers and producers will not know exactly what impact heavier rainfall in central Queensland will have on the current harvest, or the industry, before the end of the growing season in late March or early April. “We need to let the fruit dry out before we can harvest again. We’re not going to get a good indicator until the season ends,” adds Mr Arthur. “Rain does throw a spanner in the works. After picking we pack and regardless of the impact of picking the fruit will still get graded. They (growers) will still try and find a home for it.”

After picking we pack fruit according to the industry standard grading specifications rain, hail or shine. If the fruit is affected by rain damage then it's graded out. Mangoes that don't meet the quality standards for consumer shelves often end up at juicing/processing facilities.

The profitability of harvest also depends on market movements/ consumer demand at any given time, and that can change on a weekly basis, no matter whether the fruit is graded as premium, second or bulk (third class), according to Mr Arthur. Excessive rainfall can also dilute the effects of fungicides applied to the fruit, and that is another concern growers always take into consideration as they harvest.

Daily rainfall of more than 10-20 mills, or downpours of a couple of hundred mills can leave mangoes too wet to harvest and slow the harvest process, according to Mr Arthur. The fruit must be allowed to dry before being picked otherwise it develops skin blemishes or spots, and cannot be graded as premium. Despite having to accommodate rain “Queensland growers especially really do produce amazing quality fruit,” he says.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com