The Axarquía region, located to the east of Malaga province, has experienced an extreme drought over the past five years. However, the area, responsible for over 90% of Europe's mango production, has witnessed a 25% increase in yield during this year's harvest, culminating in a production of more than 15,000 tonnes. This information was disclosed in a press release by the Spanish Tropical Fruit Association (AET) on Wednesday, 27 November.
The AET, representing over 400 producers across Spain, noted that the mango season extended longer than anticipated, facilitating expanded distribution across major supermarket chains nationwide. Álvaro Palacios, AET president, described this year's production volume as "reasonable figures," although not reaching the highs of 20,000 tonnes seen in previous years. "In the end, we are going to be above 15,000, which is around 25 per cent better than the scenario we had forecast," Palacios stated.
For the Keitt and Osteen varieties, the most abundant in the Axarquía, prices have been stable, averaging 1.5 euros per kilo for Osteen and 1.2 euros per kilo for Keitt. The AET emphasized the distinctiveness of Malaga's mangoes, highlighting sustainable production practices, organic certification, and reduced carbon footprint due to proximity to the market. Additionally, the association pointed out the competitive edge of Malaga's mangoes over imports, citing optimal ripening and adherence to EU standards as key differentiators.
Source: Sur in English