Soon, Kesar variety of Indian mangoes Down Under

For the first time, Australia will sell 'Kesar' variety of Indian mangoes with the inaugural consignment of nearly 400 trays landing in Sydney, but marketing firms called it a "little disappointing" as the fruit was a little blemished and unevenly coloured.

The first consignment was received by Perfection Fresh Australia (PFA), Australia's largest fresh-produce marketing company, after recently revised protocols that allowed Indian mango imports if the fruit was treated with irradiation prior to export. "The first consignment, I've got to say, was a little disappointing," PFA chief executive Michael Simonetta said, adding "the fruit had a little bit of blemish on the skin and wasn't as evenly coloured as we expected it to be, so we're in the process now of getting it to colour more evenly and then offer it for sale following that."

"The eating quality is quite nice. It's pleasant to eat. The feedback has been okay and the upside for me as a consumer is that it tastes better than the Mexican Keitt (mangoes) that are in the market as well at the moment," he said.

Simonetta said the mangoes would predominantly end up with independent retailers.