🥭 Mangoes
Mangoes are a seasonal highlight in Victoria’s wholesale markets, arriving from Queensland and the Northern Territory between October and March. These juicy, aromatic fruits bring colour, tropical flavour and versatility to summer menus across cafes, restaurants and commercial kitchens.
With multiple varieties ripening at different points across the season — including Kensington Pride, Calypso, R2E2, Honey Gold, Keitt, Palmer, Kent and Brooks — chefs can expect a steady rotation of supply. Each variety differs slightly in flavour, firmness, fibre and colour, allowing for creative applications from smoothies and salads to chutneys and desserts.
Outside the Australian season, mangoes are sometimes imported from South America or Southeast Asia, but prices rise significantly and quality can be inconsistent.
Peak Season: October to March (QLD-grown)
Off Season: Imports from Peru, Mexico or Asia — flavour and price vary
Popular Commercial Varieties: Kensington Pride, Calypso, R2E2, Honey Gold
Mid-Late Season Varieties: Keitt, Palmer, Kent, Brooks
Storage tips: Store mangoes at room temperature to ripen, then refrigerate when soft to extend shelf life. Avoid chilling immature mangoes — it damages flavour and texture.
| MANGOES | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington Pride | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Calypso | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| R2E2 | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Honey Gold | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Keitt | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Palmer | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Kent | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
| Brooks | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟠 OK |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟠 OK | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.