The March mango update is out from Nissa Pierson and Crespo Organic. Pierson reports there's a significant lack of small mangos in orchards in Chiapas and Oaxaca, and that’s causing confusion and panic in the market because pricing remains higher than average.
She says with some of the southern second bloom sets not as prolific as anticipated, Michoacán being late to the mango party and Peru basically out of the equation, this collides with a significant rise in mango demand in the early season.
Notably, organic mango orchards don’t produce bigger or smaller fruit than that of neighboring conventional orchards. Organic details are more about the availability of all organic producers.
There's a significant lack of small mangos in orchards in Chiapas and Oaxaca.
Chiapas and Oaxaca are producing very large fruit which is not uncommon. A lot of change has taken place in climate and demand patterns that are challenging volume ease for most of the Mexican regions onsets.
Typically, Michoacán, which tends to produce smaller fruit, starts production in time for the larger March demands. Michoacán is late again this year, Peru ended early and demand is higher than ever.
Even though growers have invested significantly in increasing production in the southern regions, demand has trended higher than supply for the last several years during this time frame. El Grupo Crespo has expanded production by several hundred hectares in the last several years in these regions and added an additional packhouse in Oaxaca.
Big fruit is predominant for now and small fruit is scarce.
The industry is clear that big fruit is predominant for now and small fruit is scarce. Therefore taking advantage of the fruit available is a smart move considering demand.
Crespo Organic supplies are strong and in line with its programs, including the new and expanded programs currently playing out. It is also short on small fruit but has a bit of an easier time than conventional sellers as the organic market is more flexible on sizing. Since it owns its product, it can make price adjustments as needed.
Crespo has successfully promoted its organic Ataulfo program in the larger sizing for several weeks and continues to keep most of the smaller Ataulfo customers happy with its quality and/or an occasional price break. Quality on the Ataulfos improves with the second bloom fruit and Brix is increasing rapidly.
Tommy Atkins is plentiful with the same configuration of size issues. 12cnt sizing is pretty rare and tens are extremely tight. 8-9cnts are plentiful and promotable along with extra promotional opportunities on 6 and 7cnts. The sugar level is intensifying.
Looking ahead, there will be a lack of small fruit for the rest of the southern regions’ seasons but there continue to be opportunities for promotions, in particular for average or larger sizes.
For more information:
Nissa Pierson
Crespo Organic
Tel: +1 (347) 306-3286
[email protected]
www.crespoorganic.com