Mango sales up by a fifth at Asda

Wholehead and prepared mango sales at Asda have risen 20 per cent, the UK's third-largest supermarket has reported.

The supermarket chain said the year-on-year sales rise had been driven by the summer heat and 'growing popularity' of South Asian food, 'with Brits turning to the tropical fruit for their summer spreads'.

Asda’s mangoes are sourced from Peru, Israel, West Africa and Brazil, depending on the time of year, and the retailer said it was working with growers to offer even sweeter, less fibrous fruit following customer feedback.

The Kent and Keitt varieties now account for 90 per cent of Asda's mango sales due to their strong yield. Their sweetness makes them a popular choice for homemade sauces and chutneys, and as a core ingredient in South Asian stir fries and salads, according to Asda.

When it comes to prepared mango, the retailer noted that new processes mean harvested mangoes are now prepared in their country of origin just before optimum ripeness, resulting in fruit that is ready to eat when it hits the shelves.

Asda mango buyer Matt Custance offered advice to customers seeking out the sweetest mangoes. 'Customers should look for filled-out shoulders at the top of the fruit around the stem, and freckles on the skin which indicate sweetness.

'For mangoes that aren’t quite ripe, keep them in the kitchen (at 18˚C-20˚C) for a few days, then store them in the fridge for maximum life.”