"Old-fashioned opacity" is how Henk van der Meij of Hars & Hagebauer characterizes the mango market. "On one hand, there appeared to be a threat of a large Peruvian crop, but questions remain about how substantial it will actually be, particularly in terms of size and grading."
For now, importers seem to be proceeding cautiously. "It's almost impossible to make a well-informed decision. Overseas growers, still reeling from the catastrophic 2023/24 season, are seeking advance payments. However, paying upfront in such an uncertain market is a risky proposition," the importer continued.
"After all, a decent crop is still expected from Brazil, and no one benefits from market oversaturation. Initially, the narrative suggested that Peru would flood the European market with an abundance of mangoes. However, there now appears to be a growing counter-narrative that the so-called 'bumper crop' may not be as overwhelming as feared, especially in the most desirable sizes."
According to Henk, the notion that the upcoming holiday season will drive a peak in mango sales is outdated. "In reality, December is not an ideal month for mangoes or avocados. Almost all volumes are pre-programmed, which has resulted in a very subdued spot market in recent years."
For more information:
Henk van der Meij
Hars & Hagebauer
Selderijweg 90F
2988 DG Ridderkerk
Tel: +31 180 745100
[email protected]
www.harshagebauer.nl/