Earth Markets’ George Manettas has been crowned the 2016 Mango King after a heart pumping bidding war for the symbolic first tray of mangoes on October 6 at the Brisbane Produce Market’s annual charity auction.
The active Your Local Fruit Shop retailer program participant paid $22,000 for the coveted tray of 16 golden fruits, all kensington prides from Sklorios Produce, in Berry Springs, Northern Territory.
A large crowd gathered on the trading floor to see emcee Bill McDonald hand over to celebrity auctioneer, Haesley Cush, to get the bidding going.
Mr Manettas was jubilant after taking out the winning bid, calling the high price tag "a bargain" when it came to helping charity.
He said that during the daily drive to the Brisbane Produce Market to buy for his Burleigh store that he discussed with his wife, Tsambica, about placing a bid and together they plotted a figure they could bid up to.
The auction has become a celebrated and quintessential fundraising event for Queensland, with this year's profits from the mango tray, raffles and other fundraising events aiding Diabetes Queensland and Life Education Queensland.
Since its modern day inception in 2002, the Mango Auction has raised more than $900,000 for charity.
