“We started in May with mangosteens and volumes really began to increase about a month ago,” says Vicky Cabello of Cabefruit Produce LLC in McAllen, Tex. “We are hoping to go until the end of September. Right now, we’re working with a load or two per week so we’re working with a good volume.”
Volume does seem to have increased this year on the tropical fruit. “Last year around this time it was about half a load per week and right now we’re working with two per week,” she says, adding that the product is only allowed to be shipped in from Mexico.
Pricing stabilized
That increase in volume has pushed the price down somewhat to a more stable price. “We started at a high price for mangosteens, about $80/box. Right now it’s lower and it’s more around $55-$65/box. That was the price last year for the entire season,” says Cabello. She’s anticipating now that more volume will be available for mangosteens and that demand will pick up as well. “We’re about a month away from finishing the season so I hope we have good demand and maybe stay at this price or go up slightly,” she says.
Meeting people at PMA
Mangosteens are just one of the exotic and tropical products Cabefruit will have on display at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit, held this October 19-20 in Orlando, Fl. “We’re looking to meet more people there and have more marketing of our products,” says Cabello. “The PMA show is one of the greatest opportunities for people in the industry. You have a chance to get to know others—those who are working with the same products you are or different products and other commodities.”
Vicky Cabello
Cabefruit Produce LLC
Tel: +1 (956) 686-7359
vickycabello@cabefruitproduce.com
www.cabellogroup.com