In only three years, the Colombian baby mango has transformed from an obscure product into an emerging exotic fruit with increasing popularity in the United States. Carlos Leal, the commercial manager of TropiFresh, which has spearheaded this growth from its location in Santa Marta, describes this development.
© TropiFresh
"We were born to capitalize on the opening of the U.S. market to Colombian mangoes, and now we are pioneers in maritime shipments of this variety," Leal stated. Leal points out. In its first season, the company shipped five containers. This figure grew to 20 containers in the 2024-2025 season, and they hope to exceed this number next year.
Production is carried out in two cycles: the main season, from February to August, and a secondary or "naughty" season, from October to December. With 42 farms of its own, TropiFresh guarantees a continuous supply and maintains strict quality control from the field to the final destination.
© TropiFreshBesides baby mango, TropiFresh cultivates other varieties like Tommy Atkins and Keitt. "Our infrastructure allows us to process up to six containers daily, enabling us to adapt quickly to global demand and plan for continuous growth in the near future," he said.
© TropiFresh
"This is just the start of a years-long process. We want the market to see us as experts in Colombian mangoes, not just baby mango," Leal stressed.
The baby mango is a small, sweet, aromatic, and fiber-free variety that is exclusively grown in Colombia. Its weight ranges from 60 to 120 grams per piece, making it an ideal natural snack for modern consumers. The fruit is shipped fresh and can be ready to eat within a few days.
TropiFresh provides different packaging options, including 2, 4, or 12 kg boxes and clamshells, to cater to various market segments. The product primarily targets U.S. importers and distributors, which supply chains like Shoprite, Wegmans, and HEB.
"Complying with U.S. phytosanitary standards involves additional processes like irradiation, which are required by the USDA and FDA. This increases logistical costs and positions the baby mango as a premium product. Once consumers taste it, they realize it's worth paying a higher price," says Leal.
"There's also a 10% tariff introduced in 2024, which end consumers have had to bear. On top of that, transportation from the farm to the irradiation facility and then to the market involves maintaining a strict cold chain and navigating complex logistics," he explained.
Although the United States remains the primary destination, TropiFresh is making headway in its expansion efforts toward Europe following its participation in Fruit Attraction Madrid. Initial discussions with importers from Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland focus on initial air shipments to showcase the quality of the product, with the goal of eventually scaling up to sea containers.
© TropiFresh
For the upcoming season, TropiFresh aims to finalize deals at the IFPA Anaheim fair to boost volumes and expand into new markets. "Our objective is to continue growing and position the baby mango as an iconic Colombian product worldwide," Leal concluded.
© TropiFresh For more information:
Carlos Leal
Commercial Manager
TropiFresh
Tel: +57 311 219 2707
Email: [email protected]
www.tropifresh.co
