The Chinese government has allowed the entry of Ecuadorian fresh mango since January 28, which means domestic producers have a new market. China adopted this decision thanks to the work done by Pro Ecuador and the Ecuadorian Agency for Assuring Agricultural Quality (Agrocalidad).
The Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) announced through its website that China gave approval to 22 companies to export mangoes.. The Mango Foundation is the organization that brings together most of the producers and exporters of fruit in Ecuador. Its director, Johnny Jara, said this decision was a great opportunity to diversify the destination of the product.
So far the main market for the Ecuadorian mango is the United States. According to the Central Bank, Ecuador exported 27,043 tons of mangos with an FOB value of 21,499,860 dollars between January and November 2015. 88% of these exports were placed in the US market. The data from the Central Bank is consistent with the information from the Foundation.
Jara said that the global economic situation has not affected the sector, but that the appreciation of the dollar had caused exports to the US to increase to 90% between October and January, when it is harvested in the country.
The Mexican and Canadian markets were affected by the appreciation of the dollar, said Jara. The businessman said that the situation with the United States was the result of the increase in the weight of fruit allowed by that country's control agency. Jara said that they could previously only send mangoes that weighted 660 grams or less, but that they could now export fruits of up to 900 grams.
ProEcuador reported that, according to statements made by the representative of Mango Foundation, Bernardo Malo, the UK was another potential market being developed for fruit exporters.
Jara said that Ecuador bridged the gap unmet by the Peruvian and Brazilian production in that market. He also said that the fruit first left Brazil, then Ecuador, and Peru after. Thus supplying the market with fruit throughout the year.
Source: eltelegrafo.com.ec