Peruvian mangoes

Peruvian mango production rose by a staggering 268.8 per cent during the January to October period of 2010, putting the industry on course to surpass the national record when the season closes in December.

Growers in the country’s two leading mango zones Piura and Lambayeque have produced 222m tonnes and 43m tonnes respectively so far this season, according to a report from the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture’s Economic and Statistical Studies Office (Minag-OEEE).

The fruit is also produced in Ancash, Ica, Lima, Cajamarca and La Libertad, with the bulk of the crop comprising the Kent, Haden and Tommy Atkins varieties.

On the back of the crop expansion, Minag said exports of fresh, juiced and processed mangoes rose by 103.4 per cent in volume and 57.5 per cent in value between January and October this year.

The main export market for Peruvian mangoes is the US, followed by the Netherlands, the UK and Canada.