Industry organisation Conaspromango is driving efforts to make the sector more resilient to climate change
Mexico’s mango supply chain is facing one of the greatest challenges in its history due to climate change, which is already causing significant production losses in key states. In response, the National Mango Product System Committee (Conaspromango) has developed a strategy based on better organisation of the country’s production base to drive quality improvements and boost the sector’s competitiveness.
According to Daniel Radilla, president of Conaspromango, the organisation brings together the main players in the mango supply chain – ranging from producers, marketers, and exporters to universities, input suppliers, and technical assistance specialists. Its goal is to strengthen national production, which currently exceeds 2.4mn tonnes a year, grown across 204,000 ha distributed throughout 23 states.
The sector is made up of more than 54,000 producers, almost 70 per cent of which own fewer than 5ha, making the strengthening of family farming a top priority for the organisation.
Radilla warned that high temperatures are disrupting the mango’s natural cycle by preventing proper flowering, thereby significantly reducing yields. One of the most critical situations is in the state of Nayarit, where production losses could hit 70 per cent during the current season.
These issues are compounded by atypical rainfall patterns, more intense hurricanes, and a greater prevalence of pests and diseases – factors that necessitate a rethinking of agricultural management strategies.
“Global warming is already here, and we must adapt. It is not about raising alarms but about working to face a reality that affects all of agriculture,” Radilla noted.
Fresh mangoes account for nearly 80 per cent of Mexican mango exports, with another 10-15 per cent going to industrial processing such as dried mango, juices, and purees.
Conaspromango believes that expanding this sector is crucial for generating greater added value, reducing waste, and boosting the income of small-scale producers. To this end, the organisation is forging partnerships with companies, restaurants, and food service chains to promote increased mango consumption in various forms.
Mexico exports approximately 400,000 tonnes of mangoes a year. The bulk go to the US, but it also supplies markets such as Canada, Europe, China, and Japan.
Radilla believes there is still immense potential to expand the international reach of Mexican mangoes through orchard certification, adherence to quality standards, and the diversification of export destinations.
Among the key varieties grown in Mexico, Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, and Manila stand out; the Ataulfo mango in particular is renowned internationally for its quality, flavour, and long post-harvest shelf-life.
Beyond its economic importance, the mango supply chain is a significant source of rural employment. According to data from Conaspromango, each hectare generates approximately 46 direct jobs, benefiting thousands of families in the country’s main producing regions.
For the organisation, the sector’s future will depend on producers’ ability to adapt to climate change, strengthen industrialisation, and continue enhancing the quality of Mexican mangoes, with the aim of securing new markets and improving profitability for those who rely on this crop.
