Aussies are expected to see fewer mangoes this year as Queensland farmers share concern over supply and prices.

Mangoes may be an iconic fixture in an Australian summer, but a warmer-than-average winter could mean less fruit on the supermarket shelf this year.

Australians have been warned there could be fewer mangoes on the shelves this Christmas, as farmers urge shoppers not to be put off by potentially higher prices.

Queensland mango producers, who are responsible for more than 40 percent of Australia’s supply, are struggling with significantly reduced yields due to a warmer-than-average winter. Sandy Cove Mango Plantation owner Brad Bowen said warmer temperatures had resulted in poor flowering rates across the board. Varieties affected include the popular R2E2 and Kensington Pride mangoes, with yields down by about 60 percent.

“It’s a combination of a warm winter and a big crop last year, but this year’s winter hasn’t been cold enough to get trees to fruit,” Bowen said. “We’re definitely concerned.”

While the decreased yields could result in reduced stock levels and higher prices this summer, Bowen has urged mango lovers to remember that farmers also need to sustain business costs. 

“We need the retail costs to come up to match the cost of production,” he said. “At the end of the day, we need to be able to stay in business so we can turn around and make more fruit next year.” 

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The Queensland Bureau of Meteorology recorded the warmest average winter in 110 years, with temperatures 2.32°C above average. Both maximum daytime and minimum temperatures were also among the highest 10 percent of winters since 1910.

Industry peak body Australian Mangoes reported fruit volumes were down year-on-year in Queensland, which produces about 22,000 tonnes of fruit annually. The most recent regional update from August 29 found growers in Mareeba and Dimbulah reporting lower volumes of Kensington Pride mangoes year-on-year.

“Absence of flowers in some Kensington Pride orchards have some growers starting off with disappointment for the beginning of season as they should be looking at reasonable sized fruit set at by now, but little to nothing has eventuated,” the report stated. “R2E2s have set well, but still may be down a little on volume compared to last year. Keitts and Honey Golds are starting to flower well.”

This story originally appeared on news.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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