Green light for Territory mangoes market access
Territory mango growers are celebrating this week with the news that the Northern Territory has received approval for an ongoing Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) protocol for a new market access pathway for mangoes into Western Australia (WA).
ICA-69 provides an alternative treatment pathway for 4 major varieties of mangoes into WA, being Honey Gold, R2E2, Calypso and Kensington Pride.
The Vapour Heat Treatment protocol for all varieties of mangoes into WA remains unchanged.
The existing CTM-01 protocol for access into South Australia for all varieties of mangoes remains in place.
While CTM-01 was accepted as a pilot program with WA for the 4 major varieties in the 2024 mango season, having it approved as an ICA will ensure ongoing market access for local growers.
The CTM-01 protocol, now known as ICA-69, is a ‘systems approach’ to managing fruit fly risks. It includes a pre-harvest cover spray and visual inspection for fruit flies. Mangoes must be in a hard, mature condition and of class 1 quality.
Securing this protocol as an ICA is great news for local mango growers and the industry who came together last week for the Australian mangoes pre-season roadshow in Darwin on 11 August and Katherine on 12 August 2025.
As part of the Australian mangoes pre-season roadshow, researchers from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) will share with local growers the latest updates on trials towards managing mango twig tip dieback (MTTD).
MTTD is characterised by dark necrotic lesions on the twigs of mango trees that extend rapidly causing death of the apical bud, the symptoms of MTTD are also associated with general tree decline, branch death, and reduced productivity.
First reported in 2017, MTTD has been a significant issue for NT mango growers with the NT Farmers Association estimating that MTTD is costing the Darwin mango industry around $7 million annually.
Budget 2025-26 announced the Territory Government is investing $500,000 in research funding per year over 2 years to support further research towards integrated management of MTTD.
A comprehensive research program for the integrated management of MTTD has been co-developed by DAF, the NT Mango Industry Association, the Australia Mango Industry Association, NT Farmers Association and interstate research collaborators.
With further research set to continue, DAF remains dedicated to supporting the Northern Territory’s mango industry and ensuring the long-term viability of this valuable crop.
