Ecuador's Mango Foundation is preparing the VII International Mango Congress, as part of its work to promote the fruit. On July 19, Johnny Jara, the executive director of the foundation, spoke about the benefits of the crop and the importance of this event for foreigners and locals.
"Mango cultivation is small, when compared to cocoa or banana cultivation, but it creates a lot of jobs for women during the last quarter of the year," he said. "Many people can find jobs in the mango packing facilities at that time of the year," he said.
He also said that the United States was the main buyer of Ecuadorian mango, with 92% of exports. 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. The mango is exported fresh in 4-kilo boxes, which can have 6 to 7 big mangoes or 12 to 14 medium sized mangoes.
The main cultivation areas are: Guayas (95%) and Los Ríos (5%) in the sectors of Via a la Costa, from Nobol to Pedro Carbo, and Nobol to Vinces.
In the 2017-2018 campaign, the country exported 13,685,119 four-kilo boxes of mango, i.e. 1% more than in the 2016-2017 season. The Mango Foundation has been organizing the International Mango Congress since 2006. It is an important event for Ecuadorian producers, and producers from Colombia, Peru, and Central America. The event is attended by nearly 400 people from all over the world (including exhibitors and guests), and it is one of the most important training events for the mango sector internationally.