25 June 2026
The draft report proposes that the importation of commercially produced fresh mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana) to Australia from all commercial production areas of Malaysia can be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
The draft report is being issued for a public consultation period, closing on 24 August 2026.
We invite you to have your say on the draft report. We will consider all stakeholder comments received during the consultation period in preparing a final report.
We announced the commencement of this risk analysis on 31 October 2024, via Biosecurity Advice 2024-P05 advising it would be progressed as a review of biosecurity import requirements.
The draft report identifies 21 pests associated with fresh mangosteen fruit from Malaysia that require risk management measures to reduce the biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. These pests are:
- fruit flies: carambola fruit fly (Bactrocera carambolae) and oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis)
- hard scales: cyanotis scale (Aspidiotus excisus), rigid coconut scale (Aspidiotus rigidus), dictyospermum scale (Chrysomphalus dictyospermi), black thread scale (Ischnaspis longirostris) and trilobite scale (Pseudaonidia trilobitiformis)
- mealybugs: Annona mealybug (Dysmicoccus lepelleyi), grey pineapple mealybug (Dysmicoccus neobrevipes), cocoa mealybug (Exallomochlus hispidus), citrus mealybug (Hordeolicoccus heterotrichus), intercepted mealybug (Paracoccus interceptus), mealybug (Paraputo odontomachi), coffee mealybug (Planococcus lilacinus), Pacific mealybug (Planococcus minor), orange-coloured mealybug (Pseudococcus aurantiacus), cryptic mealybug (Pseudococcus cryptus) and mango mealybug (Rastrococcus spinosus)
- dolichoderine ants: cocoa black ant (Dolichoderus thoracicus) and black ant (Technomyrmex butteli)
- thrips: Scirtothrips hitam.
The identified pests are the same, or of the same pest groups, as those associated with other horticultural commodities that we have previously analysed.
The draft report proposes risk management measures, combined with an operational system, to ensure biosecurity standards are met.
The recommended risk management measures take account of regional differences in pest distribution within Australia.
- Five of the pests requiring risk management measures, Chrysomphalus dictyospermi, Ischnaspis longirostris, Pseudaonidia trilobitiformis, Planococcus minor and Pseudococcus cryptus, have been identified as regional quarantine pests for Western Australia.
- These pests are considered regional quarantine pests, as interstate quarantine regulations and enforcements are in place to prevent the introduction and distribution of these pests into Western Australia.
The proposed risk management measures will reduce the risks posed by the 21 identified pests, to achieve the appropriate level of protection for Australia. These measures are:
- for fruit flies:
- pest free areas, pest free places of production, or pest free production sites; or
- non-host status, ensured by fruit quality and maturity requirements; or
- fruit treatment considered to be effective against fruit flies such as irradiation.
- for hard scales, mealybugs, dolichoderine ants and thrips:
- fruit treatment considered to be effective against all life stages of hard scales, mealybugs, dolichoderine ants and thrips, such as methyl bromide fumigation or irradiation; or
- a systems approach considered to be effective in mitigating the risk of hard scales, mealybugs, dolichoderine ants and thrips on mangosteen fruit, and approved by the department.
The draft report and more information about the risk analysis process are available on the Mangosteens from Malaysia risk analysis page.
We invite stakeholders interested in receiving information and updates on biosecurity risk analyses to subscribe via our online subscription service. By subscribing to ‘Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant’, you will receive Biosecurity Advice notices and other notifications relating to plant biosecurity policy, including this risk analysis.
Dr Allison Jones
A/g First Assistant Secretary
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Telephone: 1800 900 090 (when prompted select option 1, then option 1)
Email: imports@aff.gov.au.