The Peruvian season has been delayed around 30 days, due to insufficient chill hours throughout the winter flowering period, this has also led to less fruit. Before the season it was estimated that the crop would be only 70% of last year's volumes but in reality, according to van Es it will be as little as 50%.
"Total Exotic's transition from Ecuadorian mangoes into Peruvian ones went very smoothly, the Peruvian fruit arrived just as the Ecuadorian fruit was done. The quality of the Peruvian mangoes is very good, the only problem will be the low volumes, which will lead to high prices. Normally you can promote the mangoes and offer them at a good price but that will not be possible this year," explains van Es.
He goes on to say that although not perfect this situation is better that what happened with the Brazilian mango season. "At the start there were small volumes and prices of 10-11 Euro and consumers stopped buying them as they were too expensive, then when the volumes came in the sales had to be re-started and this meant doing so at very low prices to get people buying again, it is not sound business. You will see more stable prices in the Peru season."
Peru mangoes are 95% the Kent variety, at the moment fruit is from the North, in the Piura region this will go through January and February, by March mangoes will be sourced further south, van Es reckons that the season will be shorter this year, more like three month instead of the normal four.
You can visit Total Exotics at Fruit Logistica Hall 5.2 stand B-08
For more information:
Hennie van EsTel: (+31)-180-644-040
Email: hennie@totalexotics.com
Handelsweg 150
Ridderkerk
www.TotalExotics.com