The US currently receives mangos from Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, but this year is looking to be very different in terms of supplies. Ecuador and Peru have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused higher temperatures than normal during the flowering stage. “This has resulted in very poor flowering, negatively impacting yields. It is expected that yields from Ecuador and Peru will be down 50 to 70 percent compared to last year,” says Leonardo Ortega, Director of Research with the National Mango Board.
In the 2022-23 season, both countries shipped significant volume to the US with Peru responsible for 23.5 million boxes (4 kg.) and Ecuador sending 13.4 million boxes respectively (4 kg.). “Due to the El Nino effects, it is very difficult to predict this year’s volume. The phenomenon could bring rain during the harvesting season, affecting logistics and the quality of mangos for export,” said Ortega.
Brazil
The Brazilian mango season on the other hand looks normal. It began the first week of August and will continue to run until the first week of December. Brazil is projected to ship approximately 11 million boxes, which would be 19 percent more compared to last year. While most mangos from Brazil are exported to Europe, the country shipped 14 percent of its total exports to the US last season. Looking at it from a US import perspective, out of all mango imports, seven percent was sourced from Brazil last year.
Last season, Colombia shipped mangos to the US for the very first time, but volumes are still limited. “In 2022, total volume shipped was 20.7 tonnes,” said Ortega. “This year, the volume shipped until the month of September was three times more and equalled 64.3 tonnes.”
Pricing
When just looking at Brazil and Ecuador, total volume shipped is expected to be down 37 percent from last year. Given that demand is in line with what is expected this time of year, it outpaces supply. As a result of limited supply, prices are higher this year. As an example, the average FOB price of Ataulfo mangos from Ecuador amounted to $9.22 per box in the week ending November 4, 2022. The same week this year, pricing is at $15.56/box according to this mango crop report.
For more information:
Leonardo Ortega
National Mango Board
Tel: (+1) 407-629-7318
lortega@mango.org
www.mango.org