Brett Kelly, CEO Australian Mangoes
Australian Mangoes CEO Brett Kelly shared that for 2023, the biggest challenges for the mango grower's industry reflect the challenges facing growers across the ANZ horticulture industries.
The key concerns have been the increase in the cost of production, balancing price versus profit, and sustainability for growers, as this is a key demand and need from consumers and growers alike. Kelly iterated that the challenges of 2023 were likely to follow the industry into 2024.
Successful strategies Kelly has observed the industry and its growers leverage to tackle these challenges are underscored by a communal approach, creating collective groups such as co-operatives to gain a position of authority and power to better negotiate for the benefit of growers and to cultivate a closer partnership directly with supermarkets.
Much like New Zealand, farming in Australia is the backbone of its heritage and economy; the challenges consumers struggle to overcome are the same challenges farmers and growers struggle with. This is something that consumers have recognised and has led to a heartening level of care and willingness from consumers to pay fair prices for growers' produce as locality and community with regard to food and ingredient sourcing and support have become increasingly essential values for consumers.
"Though consumers are dealing with the ever-increasing cost of living, they do not want to see our farmers go broke as farmer growers produce the best mangoes in the world. Consumers will support a fair price if it is explained and marketed correctly, which is what we believe all stakeholders will be focused on."
Kelly continued that growers have also continued to adapt and overcome with the help of the best on-farm quality and technological practices. However, he emphasised that there needed to be a better price and return for all the hard work that goes into harvest and production.
"Otherwise, inevitably, the volume will continue to grow, but ownership in the industry will decrease."
Growth opportunities are primarily with domestic and international exports as the world continues to open up more following COVID-19 and demand for high-quality produce grows.
See more insights from the 2024 Buyer's Guide below:
