Wealmoor Ltd has introduced a new mango variety into the UK from its own farms in The Gambia.
The Hayes-based exotics specialist has just finished its first season with commercial volumes of the as-yet un-named variety that resembles the Israeli Maya.
The variety was developed in close collaboration with its Israeli partners and was sold exclusively in Waitrose in the last week of June and first week of July, before extending its reach in the final two weeks of its debut season.
“The limited volumes this year will increase to a budgeted 15-20 tonnes on 3.5-4 acres in 2005, “ said Wealmoor commercial director Avnish Malde. “We have planted a further 20 acres, which will take volume expectations close to the 100t a year mark once they come on stream.”
The taste of the new variety sets it apart from other speciality mango types, he adds: “Some of the speciality varieties commonly available from the Indian sub-continent have a very intense, perfumed flavour. This one has a more balanced, rounded taste and will therefore appeal to a wider consumer.”
Wealmoor is the only UK mango importer to own its own farms in the western African countries Gambia and Senegal, which have the ideal climate for mango production, Malde said. “There is nine-and-a-half months of sunshine and dry weather and a guaranteed two-month rainy period,” he says. “This produces a fantastically-flavoured and highly-coloured mango - green mangoes such as Kiett and Kent are far more attractive.
The fruit is harvested and airfreighted throughout June, ahead of the Israeli Maya campaign, which kicks in around mid-July.
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