Since the previous week, the new Mexican mango season has started at Aztec Fruits. "The harvest of the Ataulfo mangoes began last week, and this week we have the first shipment ready to transport to Europe. So far, things are looking very positive, with larger volumes compared to last year," Rodolfo Meza of the exporter group, which has a sales office in Leuven, Belgium, told me.
"It's still early in the season, so fruit availability remains limited," he continues. "That also means prices are still very high. At this stage, the Mexican and US markets are more attractive, but we always aim to get started right away. Even if it's still challenging to make good margins, we want to be involved early, even with smaller volumes. Still, we expect volumes to increase in a fortnight, at which point better-quality mangoes will also come to market. At the start, it's always a bit of a search, but by then, prices should also begin to stabilize."
Import tariffs create opportunities
All in all, Rodolfo looks ahead to the upcoming season with confidence. "With the Ataulfo, we expect to continue roughly until August, and we see great potential for this variety in Europe. In the avocado market, it's more difficult to stand out, but the Ataulfo is the number one mango in Mexico. All the supermarkets want it, because of its productivity and delicious taste. In Europe, we're still trying to gain a foothold, but I'm confident we can make it happen. It also helps that, this year, we have an exciting project with a major customer, aimed at getting the Ataulfo into European supermarkets. It took us about six years to bring the Ataulfo to market, but this is a dream come true — and we hope it's just the first step toward further growth in Europe."
Will the import tariffs introduced by US President Trump help with that? "In the end, we hope our suppliers will increasingly consider shipping mangoes to Europe, but with these early-season prices, the United States remains more attractive — it's closer, and buyers are willing to pay. Even with a 25 per cent increase, which of course causes a significant rise in prices. You have to remember that Mexico and the US are still major trading partners, with around 80 per cent of all Mexican fruit and vegetables going to the US. As a result, many Mexicans — and US companies as well — still hope the situation will be resolved. Nevertheless, this highlights the need for diversification. You can't rely solely on the US — Europe should become an important outlet as well. I believe these are real opportunities for us to strengthen the presence of Mexican products in the European market."
Limes after Brazilian season
So, Aztec Fruits is now fully immersed in the Ataulfo mango season. "Next, we expect to launch the Kent variety in May, followed by small volumes of papaya entering the market in June. Additionally, we'll start with limes in April. The new crop is also looking very promising. It still needs a little more time to ripen, but we're preparing to seize our opportunity in the market. Right now, many limes are coming into Europe from Brazil, but once summer starts here, it will be winter in Brazil and production will decline. That's our moment to enter the lime market," Rodolfo concludes.
For more information:
Rodolfo Meza
Aztec Fruits
Interleuvenlaan 62,
3001 Hevrelee, Belgium
+32 456 18 4982
[email protected]
www.aztecfruits.com
