Peruvian mangoes

Peru exported 204,870 tonnes of mangoes worth US$256m in 2020/21, a decrease of 11 per cent in volume and 10 per cent in value compared to the previous season.

According to Fresh Fruit consultancy, the fall was due to drought in northern Peru affecting fruit sizing, as well as to strike action by agricultural workers in December and truckers in March.

By markets, the Netherlands took 43 per cent of Peru’s export volume (for re-export to Europe), and the US absorbed another 32 per cent.

In all, Peru shipped 93,797 tonnes of fresh mangoes to the Netherlands worth US$104m between October and April, a fall of 11 per cent in volume and 7 per cent in value compared with 2019/20.

Shipments to the US reached 69,157 tonnes worth US$71m, marking a 7 per cent fall in volume and 9 per cent dip in value compared to the previous season.

The export data also showed a sharp rise in shipments to South Korea. A total of 6,106 tonnes of mangoes worth US$21m were sent to this market, representing an increase of 49 per cent in volume and 53 per cent in value on 2019/20.

The average price paid in South Korea was also higher in 2020/21, rising by 3 per cent to US$3.50 per kg.