Mango supply from Mexico is coming up to the tail end of the season. "Southern Sinaloa is just about complete and we're into the Los Mochis region now which is producing very large Keitt mangos–size 3s to 6s and 7s. How long the weather holds out will determine how long this will last," says Gary Clevenger of Freska Produce, adding generally the season goes into the middle to late September. That will be it then for fruit from Mexico until January.
Meanwhile, the offshore season is gearing up and Freska Produce is already packing mangoes in Brazil for arrivals on the East Coast in about two weeks. Then, mangoes from Ecuador will begin in early October, followed by Peru. "Earlier in the season out of South America we saw some effects of the weather which created a supply decrease out of Ecuador, Peru, and early Mexico," says Clevenger though that has eased which has improved the availability of mangoes.
In turn, he says Freska is expecting a normal season out of Ecuador and Peru this year. "That is as opposed to last year when we saw small volumes out of both regions due to weather issues," says Clevenger.
Sizable mangoes see good demand
As for the demand for mangoes, it's very good right now. "These big Keitts usually drive a lot of the retailers. They like offering those really big mangoes on their shelves at this time of the year so I expect demand to stay really good through September," he says.
All of this is leaving pricing stronger than this time last year. "At this time last year we were probably a little lower pricing-wise, but it's been strong due to low availability for most of the year and it's stayed pretty strong," says Clevenger, particularly with Mexico down to one region producing mangoes at less volume than other preceding regions.
Looking ahead, October and into November is when more mango volume will come on and prices could come off a bit at that point.
For more information:
Gary Clevenger
Freska Produce
Tel: +1 (805) 650-1040
[email protected]
www.freskaproduce.com