Palmer mangoes becoming increasingly popular in Europe
Claudio Celco, export manager of Rio Doce, explains that “the Palmer’s popularity is growing in Europe because consumers are learning that it doesn’t have fibre, it is sweeter but not more expensive. It’s a matter of changes in preferences. For its part, the Brazilian market prefers the Tommy, because it’s the cheapest, followed by the Palmer and Haden.”
Portugal and Spain are among the countries that prefer Palmer mangoes, which they import mostly by air. “Portugal alone buys 80-100 pallets of mangoes per week. These mangoes, unlike the ones shipped by boat, are exported when ready to eat and have a much better taste,” affirms Claudio.
Mango plantations in Brazil continue to expand, while labour conditions are also significantly improving year after year. Claudio explains that “it is becoming increasingly expensive for Brazilians to export compared to other Caribbean and South American exporters, and finding labourers is also a tricky task.”
The new Brazilian fruit season will start in November and Rio Doce expects to have figs, guava and mangoes. According to Claudio, “it will not be until then when we’ll see how the new market situation created by the Russian ban will work out.”
In the mango market, Brazil faces some strong competitors, including Peru, which despite not having a fully overlapping season, keeps growing year after year. “Brazil, in any case, is much more competitive in terms of air shipments because of the cheaper rates of flights to Europe.”
Rio Doce was created in 2005 by a group of people with 23 years’ experience in the fruit export business. It started out as a fig exporter and since its inception it has pursued to find the most suitable fruits to work with and offer the best possible service to its clients.
For more information, please visit: www.riodoceexport.com.br