Flush mango supply is benefitting consumers

Even though the initial Mexican mango crops were slightly delayed, the supply is now flush. “There’s no shortage of mangoes at the moment. It seems almost like the perfect storm,” said Ronnie Cohen of Vision Produce. “It created a vacuum and we had an unprecedented spiked market early in the season, but as we’ve gotten further into the season as temperatures have risen, it seems that we have many, many production areas all going on at the same time so it’s created an overflow. Excess isn’t the right word but there’s high production.” Ample selection of fruit benefits consumers however it can be somewhat detrimental for other competing fruits. “It’s a beautiful tree fruit but then you’re also competing against all of the traditional summertime fruits. There’s a lot of fruits available all at the same time,” said Cohen.

High volume and low FOB
The American mango market is a continuing evolution and still has exponential growth. “It will continue that way for many years but you see how the demands have changed. Certain ethnicities or certain retailers usually plan for a particular program but when crops don’t cooperate Cohen says Murphy’s Law comes into play, when something the customer or retailer wants might not be readily available. “We have to make adjustments and educate our consumers, our retailers and foodservice folks about what’s going on in as much real time as possible,” he said. “The biggest challenge is the high volume all coming at one time. It’s been quite a few years since we’ve had this low of a market FOB.”

Consumption within the continental USA has increased greatly over the years and demand has been there to meet it, which has brought on a lower market and flat pricing. “In the end the benefit is really going to be for the consumer,” Cohen noted. “They’ll be getting a beautiful piece of fruit and getting a great eating experience and because of the price point they’re going to be coming back for more. I think it’s a short-term challenge but in the long term we’re going to gain even more consumers.”

Better promotional volume next month
Cohen predicts that in the next four to six weeks there will be a better promotional volume of fruit despite some areas starting and ending their season earlier than expected. “It’s too early to tell but it’s a strong possibility that some of the production areas will end their season earlier than first thought and that will happen because production is coming on earlier and also I think Mother Nature may bring the rain earlier,” he said. Too much rain will mean and early end to harvest for some growers. “Mid-August to the 1st of September I think you’re going to see a change. Because pricing has had so much value people are used to having mangoes. As soon as that volume starts to come off and it can’t meet the demand you’re going to see the market firm up and it may even spike.”

Ronnie Cohen
Vision Produce Company
Ph: (213) 622-4435
ronnie@visionimportgroup.com

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