Peru Mangoes

The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM) has reported that international market prices for its mango exports have dropped by 25 per cent this season, a result of greater domestic production and increased volumes from major competitor Ecuador.

APEM president Reynaldo Hilbck said that export volumes had doubled through the current campaign, which began in mid-November and will run until March 2010, thanks to favourable weather conditions.

Overall exports are expected to hit 80,000 tonnes by the end of the season, up from 45,000 tonnes during 2008/09, boosted by an extra month of harvesting - the season traditionally begins in December.

The volume of production in Peru and Ecuador has meant that the campaigns clashed, leading to a fall in prices,' Mr Hilbck told the Andina news agency this week.

The majority of Peru's mango exports head to the European Union, which takes on around 70 per cent of the total, with the rest heading to the US.