On The Land
29 November, 2025
New local mango variety hits shops
A NEW variety of locally produced mangoes will hit the supermarkets this summer after being discovered and initially developed near Dimbulah and then undergoing market trials.
The new Ruby Gold variety was initially discovered sprouting from a branch of a Kensington Pride tree on Alfonze Palumbo’s farm.
A decade of grafting and then planting has followed to establish the variety in its own right on the Palumbo farm.
Testing has identified Ruby Gold has a Kensington Pride type flavour, though a little stronger, with the flesh less fibrous and not as stringy.
Business manager for tropical fruits wholesaler Favco, John Nardi, has been working with the Palumbos since he helped them identify the variety.
Ruby Gold now has been officially registered with plant breeders and has its own Plant Breeders Rights (PBR) status, which requires testing to prove its difference to other mangoes.
The easily identified variety typically has a really ruby, maroon sort of blush to it.
“It looks fantastic,” Mr Nardi said.
Ruby Gold production this season will see an estimated 15,000 trays entering the market after years of sales at a smaller scale.
“Obviously, it is hoped that these volumes will grow over the next few years, and we’ll be looking at producing more trees and getting more growers on board with it in years to come,” Mr Nardi said.
Mr Nardi has worked with Melbourne-based agent and Produce of Virginia director, Peter Tran, over the past two years to trial markets for Ruby Gold.
