Various mango varieties
One of these Brazilian producers is Brasfruit, which exports its mangoes to the European market. "Most of our volume consists of Keitt, Kent and Palmer mangoes, but we have also planted some Tommy Atkins," explains Avinash, of Brasfruit. "Most of Europe prefers Kent and Keitt mangos, although the demand for Palmer has increased significantly in recent years. Fortunately, Brazil is able to produce this variety all year round, so we can offer a fruit of consistent quality."
Overall, Brazil has a smaller volume of mangoes available this year due to the impact of drought and other weather issues in north-eastern Brazil; however, the producer says that their volume has not been reduced, but, in fact, has increased, since the company has not stopped planting new trees. In 2016, it produced exported about 4,300 tonnes of mangoes, and although there is still no data for the current season, the prospects are good.
Peru is arriving increasingly early
Avinash believes that the market situation is interesting, as Peru is arriving to the market increasingly early to try taking advantage of the good prices that are usually paid in October, November and early December. "However, they do it at the cost of quality, since they harvest the fruit when it is still too green," he states. "That negatively affects the market, because there is a bigger volume available within a shorter time span, which puts prices under pressure, and the quality is also not very good, because those fruits that are not yet ripe enough to be harvested. The Peruvians should seriously consider producing their mangoes in their natural harvest frame, as they would have a better product to offer their customers."
"A few years ago, Peru was entering the market in January; they then started to arrive at the end of December and this trend continued, with the season starting as early as November. Now they harvest unripe fruits and ship them to Europe, which results in the market being flooded with fruits that are not ripe." This situation forces Brasfruit to leave the market earlier, in the middle or end of November, in order not to clash with the bulk of Peru's supply.
Limes
Brasfruit also produces limes, of which it is currently exporting a large volume; about 7 or 8 containers per week. Its main market is Europe, but it also exports to the Middle East and, to a lesser extent, to Canada. Regarding this fruit, its biggest competitor is Mexico, although they only coincide in the market for a couple of months, but in those months, the overlap can cause prices to be unpredictable.
Brasfruit produces and exports about 5,000 tonnes of limes per year, with six weeks of low season in September and October. Although its peak season starts in November, this year's production peak was delayed until December and there were some weather issues in early 2017, but since then the production has been very steady and the producer expects to continue this way until the end of July.
Brasfruit
Brasfruit, founded 25 years ago, is a family business that produces a wide range of fruits and exports them to Europe; a market it knows really well and where it has forged long lasting relationships. Its three main products are avocados, which it produces between March and June; mangoes, which are harvested around between August and December; and limes, which they try to produce all year round, although they have a low season in September and October.
More information:
Brasfruit
Av. Brig. Faria Lima, 2954 - cj 83
Itaim Bibi - São Paulo – SP, Brasil - CEP 01451-901
T: 55-11-3078-0865
F: 55-11-3168-9758
E: brasfruit@brasfruit.com
www.brasfruit.com