The Animal Plant Health Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the first part of the technical study that would allow Peru to export fresh mangoes weighing between 650-900 grams to the U.S. market.
Juan Carlos Rivera, general manager of the Peruvian Association of Mango Exporters of Peru (EMPA), said the study demonstrated "conclusively that the hydrothermal treatment effectively eliminated 99.99% of the risk of larval fruit fly."
"Now, the USDA/APHIS will subject it to public consultation. A public consultation, as we have been told, lasts about 60 days. If there were no comments, then the USDA/APHIS could incorporate this permission in the normal work plans of the Peruvian mango."
Rivera explained that EMPA, along with Peru's National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA), have been performing tests for nearly five years to prove that hot water immersions are effective for mangoes weighing between 650 and 900 grams.
The treatment, which is performed on all the mango entering the U.S., varies according to the size of the fruit. "We've had a protocol for smaller weights, which also varies, for the last fifteen years," Rivera said.
"75 minutes for the fruit weighing between 350 and 500; 90 minutes for the fruit between 500 and 650 grams; and what we have proved technically is that immersing the fruit weighing between 650 and 900 grams in water at 110 degrees for 43 minutes eliminates the risk of having live fruit fly larvae in the mangoes," explained the manager.
Regarding the opportunities for the bigger sized mango in the U.S. market, Rivera said they had noticed that, besides the fresh fruit being sold in supermarkets, there were other niches for this fruit.
"There are two niches: the restaurants and hotels that use much mango, and the ready to eat fresh cut fruit," Rivera said.
"Both niches, the hotel and restaurant are not so new, but the second one is relatively new, as it has only been in the supermarkets for about five years. These industries are not as interested in the fruit's outward appearance as in the fruit's flesh. "
"Moreover, the National Mango Board (NMB) is promoting the mango in the U.S., not only at the consumer level, but also for these niches. So our efforts are consistent with the efforts being made by the NMB. It is an opportunity for the industry in general."
"Most of the mango in Peru is of the Kent variety. This mango is usually large, so we would be able to ship it to the U.S."
Europe already consumes Peruvian mangoes between 650 and 900 grams, as they don't require "the quarantine treatments that the U.S. does. However, as a matter of quality and safety, packers in Peru still treat the fruit, "Rivera said.
Source: Fresh Fruit Portal