Brazil mango season off to shaky start

Higher than expected mango volumes out of Mexico have hampered the start of the Brazilian season, with suppliers facing market price pressures and lengthier availability of stock. The Mexican season produced very high volumes and has extended longer than expected. A representative from Splendid, an importer based in California, said it's the latest they've seen mangoes being packed in Mexico.

"The Mexico mango season is only just now finishing up," he said. "Normally the season starts in February with the honey mangoes in the south of Mexico and concludes in mid September with the Keitts in the north. Growing conditions were very favorable this year which produced high volumes and excellent quality. It's also the latest I have ever witnessed mangoes being packed in Mexico. I've never seen them still going into October."

The extended Mexico season has created a challenging environment for growers out of Brazil, who have been finding it tough to get into the market so far this year. "It's been a difficult start to the Brazil season," said one importer of Brazilian mangoes. 

"The main reason is that the Mexico season has continued for much longer than expected," he explained. "The volumes are such that Brazilian mango growers are having a tough time to compete and get into the market. The pricing pressure has put growers into a more difficult situation. Additionally, cooler weather has caused some delays with the crop. As a result, the demand for Brazilian mangoes is currently weak, but we expect that in a couple of weeks, as the Mexican stock reduces, demand will pick up."

Despite the high volumes, the price for Mexican mangoes is higher than at this time last year. "Overall the price is very good for Mexico stock right now," noted Splendid. "Last year towards the end of the season, prices for 4s to 12s, basically all sizes, was between $2.50 - $3.50. This year, we are currently between $3.00 and $3.50."

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