Mango supplies are ample right now coming from Mexico.
“Mangoes are imported into the U.S. year-round and we are now in the peak of supply of different varieties available to us,” says Robert Schueller, director of public relations for Melissa’s / World Variety Produce based in Los Angeles, CA. He notes that Melissa’s is currently carrying Honey or Ataulfo mangoes, Kent, Suparano, Haden and organic mangoes.
Melissa’s also just this week began carrying tree-ripened mangoes that will be available until June. This fruit is kept on the vine longer and thus, is sweeter fruit. “Mangoes typically have to be cold-water treated to come into the U.S. so they have to be picked early. For tree-ripened mangoes, we take fruit from Mexico and California,” he says.
Right: tree-ripened mangoes
Volume back up
As for volume of mango, it is ample, particularly compared to the last two mango seasons which were in the thick of the pandemic. “COVID really slowed down ports and also trucking through the border and a lot of that slowdown has been lifted. So there’s more mango production and distribution in the U.S. and it’s looking really good right now,” he says.
Meanwhile demand for mangoes is also strong, particularly during this time when supplies are peaking on so many varieties. “Pricing is substantially less on mangoes right now--between 50-75 percent less than in the fall and winter months. And because we’re in a competitive market, this is when people can for example buy Honey mangoes by the case because of affordability,” he says. “Pricing is competitive this year. It’s down due to volume and production being able to be imported in on a timely manner. We’re in a way better situation on mango prices in the spring and summer months than we were in the last two years during COVID.”
For more information:
Robert Schueller
Melissa’s Produce
Tel: +1-800-588-1281
[email protected]
www.melissas.com