Mango production, one of the most important Peruvian fruit exports, recovered after two years of decline. In 2016 production increased by 7.8%, after having fallen by 18% in 2014 and by 8% in 2015, according to the Minister of Agriculture, highlighted the Foreign Trade Federation (ComexPeru).
For several years, the Peruvian mango has positioned itself in the international market because of its prestigious quality.
This has been possible because weather conditions in El Litoral are optimal for the cultivation of this fruit and allow extending the export season from December to March.
During this period, the northern hemisphere doesn't produce this fruit, so Peru takes advantage of this great opportunity to supply this market with their shipments.
Mango production is mainly concentrated in the north of the country, thanks to its warm climate and soil fertility.
According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Minagri), most of the production comes from Piura (over 60%), particularly from the valleys of San Lorenzo, Chulucanas, Tambogrande, and Sullana.
The rest is produced in Lambayeque, Lima, Cajamarca, Ica, Ancash, and Ucayali.
All of these departments grow improved varieties, such as the Kent (which accounts for approximately 80% of the production), the Hadden, Edwards, and Tommy Atkins varieties, which are exported in fresh.
Production value
According to the latest data from Minagri, production reached a value of 202.5 million soles in 2016, 7.8% more than in the previous year.
This value represented a total of 372.900 tons. Significantly, production in December alone, when the 2016/2017 season began, amounted to 113,900 tons worth 61.8 million soles (6.9% more than in December 2015).
Peruvian mango exports had a good performance in 2016, as shipments of the fresh or dried mangos and mangosteens product line amounted to 198.4 million dollars (1.3% more than in 2015) and 157.7 tons.
As a result, mango exports ranked fifth among the major non-traditional agricultural exports, and Peru is expected to continue to be the second largest exporter of mangos, only after Mexico.
Destinations
The main export destinations continued to be the Netherlands, with 38% of total exports ($ 75.4 million); the USA, with 28% (55.4 million dollars); and the UK, with 9% ($ 18.4 million).
They also highlighted the participation of South Korea, a country that approved the entrance of Peruvian mango to its market in late 2015, thanks to the technical efforts of the National Service of Agrarian Health (Senasa) to ensure product quality.
Peru started exporting mango to that country in 2016 and in one year South Korea became one of the top ten ranking destinations, with 2.4 million dollars.
This shows the enormous opportunity that Peru has to enter strongly in other Asian countries, a market that has a huge potential for Peruvian food exports.
Expectations
According to ComexPeru, the country should seize opportunities in new markets, mainly in Asia, which is a great consumer of this product, to increase mango exports.
To achieve this, Senasa, with support from Ministry of Agriculture, will continue working to meet the phytosanitary requirements that these countries require to increase shipments to countries like China, Japan, and Singapore.
"Now that the mango has achieved an important position in Europe and the US, we should aim to consolidate its presence in Asian countries, where we have a high demand to discover. This will only be possible with a joint effort between the public and private sectors, they said.
Source: andina.com.pe