The South African Mango Growers’ Association (SAMGA) is aware that mangoes not meeting the minimum requirements for fruit maturity stipulated in the regulations for the sale of fresh fruit in South Africa have recently been placed on numerous National Fresh Produce Markets.
The minimum maturity regulations are in place to ensure that the consumer buys a mango that provides a pleasurable eating experience. Mangoes not meeting these requirements will not provide the flavour and eating experience that consumers expect.
Unscrupulous growers and/or marketers place immature mangoes on the market to exploit high prices at the start of the season. SAMGA distances itself from these operators and urges growers, packers, marketers and market agents to ensure that mangoes meet the minimum maturity standards prior to harvesting and sale of the product.
The minimum maturity standards are linked to colouration of the fruit’s flesh, which must be at least a value of 0.3 on the mango maturity colour charts. These colour charts are available from SAMGA (Tel 015 307 3676, email info@subtrop.co.za). Growers, packers, marketers and market agents are welcome to contact SAMGA should they require training in the use of maturity colour charts or advice as to the time of year that mature mangoes can be expected from the various mango production regions.
ISSUED BY THE SA MANGO GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION (SAMGA)
