Hurricane Erick's passage along the coasts of Oaxaca and Guerrero did not cause any damage to Mexican mango cultivation. The storm reached the country after the harvest in those regions had already been completed.
"We had already finished exporting from Oaxaca and Guerrero. Fortunately, the hurricane did not affect the harvest," stated Yamil Gómez Cid, national phytosanitary coordinator of Mexico's Mango Exporters Association (EMEX).
"The mango season is currently in full swing in the western states of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. The situation has improved in Nayarit, where there were concerns about low production due to atypical rainfall. There's a lot of fruit on the trees now, so we think it will be a good season. Production is expected to increase by 5% to 8% over last year," he stated.
Hurricane Erick did not cause direct damage, but the agricultural sector continues to face structural risks. "The fruit fly remains the main phytosanitary obstacle, especially in accessing international markets. Controlling the number of fruit flies is key to export," he stressed.
Climate change is a growing challenge. Hurricane Erick went from tropical storm to category 3 in twelve hours, an example of increasingly extreme weather phenomena. "In 2023, a hurricane in Jalisco caused significant damage to the plantations. There are still areas that are in the process of recovery," Gómez stated
The United States continues to be the main destination for Mexican mangoes. Nearly 94% of exports are sent to this market, mainly for logistical reasons. Shipping to other markets, such as Europe, is more challenging due to certification requirements and their preferences for certain varieties.
"Countries like Peru have a stronger position in Europe, especially with the Kent variety. Mexico mainly exports Tommy Atkins, with some Kent and Ataulfo. Ataulfo is valued for its flavor, but its shorter shelf life limits its competitiveness for maritime exports. Air freight is an option, but it's expensive. It's a logistical and economic complication," Gómez stated.
The 2025 Mexican mango season is progressing without major interruptions after the passage of Hurricane Erick, but faces ongoing challenges related to plant health, extreme weather, and market diversification. The industry must continue to adapt to these conditions to sustain its export capacity in the medium and long term.
For more information:
Yamil Gómez Cid
Asociación de Exportadores de Mangos de México
(EMEX)
Mexico
Tel: +52 33 1527 4889
Email: [email protected]
https://mangoemex.com/