Normally, the Ecuadorian mango for export harvest begins in October. However, producers expect it will start earlier this year due to climatic issues. Johnny Jara, the executive director of the Mango Foundation, said that the this year's cold temperatures of the night and the hot temperatures of the morning had helped the flowering of the fruit, so the fruit could be harvested and exported from mid-September until the end of December. "The Ataulfo mango, which is an early variety that is usually harvested in the beginning of October, would come out in mid-September," Jara said.
The Mango Foundation has already requested the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (Aphis) of the United States Department of Agriculture send an inspector to tour and certify the production sites so that they can export the fruit to said market. According to data from the union, Ecuador's mango exports increased for the third consecutive year; on this occasion by 1%.
According to Fundación Mango, in the 2017 campaign the sector exported 13'685,119 four-kilo boxes of mango, i.e. 57,982 more boxes than in the same period of 2016-2017, when exports amounted to 13,627,137. Last year's exports amounted to US $41'055.357. The main buyer of Ecuadorian mango is the United States, which purchases 92% of the fruit exported. It is followed by Canada with 3%, New Zealand with 2%. Europe, Mexico, Chile and other countries in America account for the remaining three percent. According to Jara, currently there are approximately 5,500 hectares, distributed in 105 haciendas, devoted to producing mango. 95% of these areas are in Guayas, 3.5% in Los Rios, and the remaining in El Oro and Santa Elena. "The mango is a stationary product, which means it isn't exported all year round, like cocoa and bananas. Due to its geographical location, Ecuador only harvests it in the last quarter of each year," he said. The former president of the Mango Foundation, Sergio Cedeño, had previously stated that there was little interest in investing in planting the fruit. He said this was because it was a very difficult crop, which took four to five years to start yielding products. He also said that there were no long-term credits for a person to bet on this activity in Ecuador. "It is difficult to pay a loan when this crop takes four to five years to produce. In addition, the markets can be very complicated at times. There are times when producers lose money and others in which we make money," said Cedeño.
The VII International Mango Congress, will be held at the end of August in Guayaquil. The event, which aims to present the technological advances of the production of the fruit, will be attended by worldwide experts. According to estimates, the event will be attended by 400 people, 50% of which will come from other countries, such as: Peru, Colombia, Mexico, and Central American countries, among other places. "The idea of this Congress is to train producers. We'll discuss fertilization, irrigation, nutrition, diseases, pests, harvest, and post-harvest issues, among other topics. For example, the National Mango Board will make a presentation about the American market," said Jara. Chilean and Argentine experts will also participate in the event.
Production
Producers grow nine varieties:Tommy Atkins, kent, ataulfo, keitt, haden, francis, nacdocmai, alfonso, and naomi mango varieties for export in the 5,500 hectares that are registered in the country. Producers export the mango in 4 kilo boxes to the US, Canada, and other destinations. The VII International Mango Congress will be held at the Oro Verde Hotel in Guayaquil on August 30 and 31.