In a typical year, the Mexican mango season gets underway during the first part of February, with significant volume kicking in by the middle of the month. The first fruit of the season to arrive in the US and Canada is the Ataulfo variety from the region of Chiapas, followed a few weeks later by Haden and Tommy Atkins from Michoacán.
This year, however, has turned out to be anything but normal, after heavy rainfall struck the early growing areas in southern Mexico during blooming late last year, resulting in a delayed start to the 2010 season. According to data from the US National Mango Board, fruit crossing the US border did not pass the 1m-carton (4 kg) mark until the week of 27 March this year, a full month behind the pace of 2009.
'Ataulfo production from Chiapas has been down by as much as 50 per cent so far this year due to the rainfall that hit in December and January,' said Juan Carlos Rodríguez, sales director of Tropimex in Richmond British Columbia. 'The regions of Colima and Nayarit have been off in volume terms as well, but not as much as Chiapas.
'The rainfall also cut volume in Michoacán,' added Jesus ‘Chuy’ Loza of Freska Produce International. 'Fortunately, Peru still had a fair amount of fruit and was able to supply North America longer than usual.'
Mexican mango exports to the US have averaged approximately 41m cartons over the last several years. As of the beginning of May 2010, Mexico had managed to ship only 14m cartons putting the industry on a pace to ship just 32m cartons. Production has been on the increase since, however, and if this level holds the seasonal tally should end up being closer to 40m cartons.
'We’re seeing things just getting back to normal now,' said Mr Loza. 'Mexico usually hits a production gap for red fruit (Haden and Tommy Atkins) by late May that runs into June, as they switch growing areas. Because the Michoacán deal is running late, however, we’ll likely see a much smoother transition between districts and less interruption in fruit supply over the next several weeks.'
Since Mexican mangos have been relatively scarce thus far during 2010, the US market has been strong, prompting growers to reach ahead and pick whatever mature fruit they can find. This has led to an inordinate amount of smaller sized fruit filling North American supply channels.
'Size 10 and smaller has been making up about 70 per cent of the shipments so far this season,' stated Mr Loza. 'That’s a lot more medium and small-sized fruit than the industry would prefer to see, because the chainstores like to feature multiple sizes.'
FOB prices on the US border have reportedly been averaging US$4 per carton for 10 and 12 count mangos compared with US$5 for size 9 and larger; while size 14s are garnering prices as low as US$3.75.
In spite of the slow start to the 2010 season, mango availability has evidently been adequate, allowing US and Canadian distributors to meet supply commitments to their customers.
'There have been no big supply spikes like we usually see out of Michoacán, so volume has been quite manageable, with prices remaining fairly firm so far this season,' said Mr Loza.
'The industry has still managed to take on promotions for the Mexican Cinco de Mayo holiday and I expect we’ll be able to do the same for Memorial Day as well,' he added. There may be a little less fruit availability from Sinaloa this summer, but I’m confident the industry will still have more than enough fruit to adequately supply northern markets.'
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