The first shipment of Australian mangoes has left for South Korea after new quarantine protocols opened the Asian market to the fruit, according to a Queensland government media release.

Australian exporter Manbullo Ltd is the first to ship mangoes, which will be received by Jinwon and Global Trading, an importer that sells to supermarkets, department stores, hotels and food service chains, the statement said.

According to Tim Mulherin, minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland, the mango industry will ship 4,000 tons of the fruit in the 2010-11 season, a 25% increase over the previous year. The opening of the market in South Korea will allow the industry to further grow its exports.

The first shipment is by air, but exporters expect to soon begin trials with a sea-bound program as well, the statement said.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com