Exporter praises Mareeba produce

Marcello Avolio received stellar feedback on his produce after sending 242 boxes of Tai So lychees to the US last December as part of a three-year pilot program run by the Australian Lychee Growers Association.

The produce, which ended up in Los Angeles and New York, was exported by Brisbane-based fruit and vegetable importer and exporter Favco.

Speaking at the Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Industry dinner earlier this month, Favco business manager John Nardi said Mr Avolio had proven there was a viable international market for locally-grown produce.

“To prove the protocol, it was important that we landed fruit over there,” Mr Nardi said.

“Marcello was my only registered grower and I had the utmost confidence in his ability. He’s a great grower and his attention to detail is very particular.”

Mr Avolio had to meet strict biosecurity requirements for his export batch of lychees that prohibited the use of certain pesticides and fungicides which were banned in the US.

The fruit had to be packed in pest-proof polypropylene bags sealed with cable ties and the export crop itself was audited to ensure it met all requirements.

Once picked, the lychees were then sent to Brisbane to be irradiated before being flown to the US.

“The US importers were very impressed by the fruit quality. They loved it. It went through the market very quickly,” Mr Nardi said.

“They thought it was probably some of the best imported lychees they’ve had in the US.

“This is one of the best regions for growing lychees.”

Mr Nardi said Mr Avolio’s success proved Mareeba and Tablelands produce was ripe for export, provided there was favourable weather conditions and growers met the right biosecurity requirements.

The pilot program is now in its final year, with Mr Avolio registering for it once again.

“We’re intending to have another go again this year. It’s a slow-growing market but hopefully it will blossom,” Mr Nardi said.