Mexican mango producers look beyond the US amid tariff threats

Exporting around 85-90 per cent of total production principally to its northern neighbour every year – with the rest sold on the domestic market – the easy accessibility of the US has long made the country the natural export market for Mexican mango exporters, with producers apparently content to let other Latin American countries explore more far-flung destinations.

However, at the fourteenth annual International Mango Symposium, which took place in Mazatlán, Mexico from 28-31 May, it was clear that the perceived (or real) instability created by US president Donald Trump’s recent words on tariffs is prompting exporters to give serious consideration to potential markets in Asia, Europe and beyond.

“In Mexico, we have just over 54,000 producers who together farm 204,000ha, principally covering five varieties – Manila, Ataúlfo, Tommy Atkins, Kent and Keitt,” said Daniel Radilla, president of industry association Conaspromango, which represents producers in 23 Mexican states, of which 12 account for 60 per cent of production.

“In the Asian and European continents, there are 37 varieties in high demand and of these 37 we have five in Mexico, so we have to expand,” he argued.

Export potential

Saying that, Radilla views Ataúlfo as having the most potential for new markets due to the variety’s advantageous shelf-life, high Brix content and consistency for packing. 

Conaspromango took part in a recent government-sponsored commercial mission to Europe, visiting France, Spain and other countries, and Radilla is keen to explore this potential.

“Last year, Mexico exported 80,000 cartons of mangoes; all of which went to the US,” he said. “We believe there’s a lot of opportunities for international growth for the high-quality, year-round fruits we can grow here in Mexico.”

According to Xander Shapiro, co-founder of US-based post-harvest specialist Akorn Technology, diversification would reduce Mexico’s reliance on a single market and open new avenues for growth, especially in Europe and Asia where demand appears to be growing.

“While the United States remains Mexico’s primary mango export market, there was a lot of discussion at the symposium about increasing focus on expanding into Canada, Europe, Japan, South America, and emerging markets like South Korea and China,” he said.

“US tariffs have introduced significant uncertainty and concern for the mango industry, so packers are rushing to diversify their export markets and importers may find benefits from this new competition for non-US homes for their mango crops.”

Challenges remain

However, all of this is not to claim that Mexican producers do not have their fair share of challenges. 

According to Dr Sergio Marquez-Berber from the Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, an agricultural college located in Texcoco close to the Mexican capital, climate change is already impacting Mexico’s mango producers, especially during the all-important flowering stage.

“The plants haven’t been able to develop properly because of the variations in warm and cold weather, and this has led to lower production,” he said.

Another challenge is the ongoing mega drought covering much of northern Mexico, including the key mango producing region of Sinaloa.

“It’s the worst drought we have had in 1,200 years,” said Marquez-Berber. “It leads to lower production, smaller mangoes and lower prices.”

Over the longer-term, Marquez-Berber envisages greater production being developed in zones further south, such as Nayarit, which do not suffer from generalised water shortages. He also believes producers in Sinaloa could be supported by investing in less water-intensive mango varieties.

Another challenge is the prices received by smaller growers. According to Radilla, out of every MX1 spent on mangoes, growers receive MX0.10¢ – this translates as £0.003 or €0.004 out of every £0.03 or €0.04.

“Almost 70 per cent of our growers are small family producers with less than 5ha,” he says. “We need to earn enough so our children can go to school.”

Reasons for hope

The low prices have driven migration to the US, leaving older family members in charge of the mango groves.

Despite this, Radilla believes there are reasons to be hopeful. Over recent years, female family members left behind when the males migrate north have led a “revolution” to change the sector, bringing greater organisation to the farms.

“There are farms that have become better organised and have converted into businesses, which is one of our key aims as an association,” said Radilla.

The Conaspromango president claims that as much of 54 per cent of Mexico’s annual mango volumes are lost due to a lack of commercial agreements.

“Last season, we had 2mn tonnes, so imagine how much was lost,” he said.

For this reason, the association is calling for greater support from the Mexican federal government, especially given the tariff uncertainty generated by the US administration.

“It’s a risk because sometimes they say there’s going to be a tariff on tomatoes or avocados,” added Radilla. “We go around hiding in case they say mangoes instead. It’s causing uncertainty, so we need serious policies to be prepared for whatever happens.”