The mango plantations of the state-owned Victoria de Giron Agroindustrial Company, which is located about 140 kilometers southwest of Havana, disappear into the horizon.
At present, the largest Cuban agricultural company cultivates its mangoes on about 12,000 hectares, although 45% of that territory is practically composed of rocks. The company had some 49,000 hectares planted, but the appearance of the economic crisis at the beginning of the 1990s brought an end to the bonanza.
It was a serious setback to all productive plans. In addition, the citrus plantations were affected by the Huanglongbing virus. The plague was devastating for large areas planted with citrus, which had to be destroyed.
In 2006 the entity began its productive recovery, especially through a new approach that allowed it to diversify its plantations, and a more friendly attitude towards the environment.
80% of the plantation is still citrus crops, but the company planted 14 mango varieties. The best variety in the market, thanks to their high yields and acceptance, are the Super Jay variety, a Cuban variety, and the Tommy Aki, from Brazil.
The farmers are responsible for the cultivation of 600 hectares, while the company manages another 2,700 hectares.
In 2017, they harvested about 10,000 tons of mango, almost 80% of which was converted into pulp that was sold to hotels in the nearby resort of Varadero, as well as to tourist facilities in Havana, the keys in the north of the island, and Santiago de Cuba.
This production, which is organic, has a high level of acceptance. The fruits have a high degree Brix, so are very sweet.
Most of the harvest, except for a small amount that is sold as fresh fruit to the hotels, is sent to the company's processing plant, which prepares 10,000 tons of concentrated juices each year.
However, the company has had issues with its containers and has only been able to purchase 200-liter drums which they used last year to export more than 500 tons of mango pulp to Canada and several Caribbean islands. This was the first time the island managed to sell this product abroad, at about US $800 per ton.
"We estimate that we'll produce about 14,000 tons of mango this year. Production will continue to grow exponentially as new plantations enter production," stated the deputy director of the company, Humberto Suarez.
Suarez, an agronomist from the University of Matanzas, said this new product had many export possibilities, and that they were studying opportunities in new markets, including China.
"China is a tempting market," said the agronomist who hopes the Cuban mangoes can compete successfully in the world market, even though he acknowledged that Brazil's production and commercial action was very strong.
The company is now waiting for the start of the harvest, which in Cuba starts at the end of March and runs until August.
He hopes to satisfy the internal demand for mango and to try to sell this delicious Cuban product once again.
Source: americaeconomia.com