The Brazilian supply of Tommy Atkins and Palmer mangos has been arriving in dribs and drabs over the last few months. "In the months January and February it rained a lot in and around Petrolina. This is unusual and this is why we haven't been able to receive much fruit in recent weeks," says Bert Westera of Sweet Fruits, part of the Brazilian Secchi Agricola group with locations in Portugal and the Netherlands. He was at the Brazilian company's farm for a week at the end of February, visited the plantations and saw a new sorting machine at work, among other things.
Daniel (Plant manager), Bert Westera and Fabiano Ramos (co-owner Secchi Agricola)
"These amounts will increase now. That's good, as the season with Peru is closed to most importers," continues Bert. Sweetfruits is focusing on supplying its customers with Palmer all year round. "They can be flown in, but also conventionally by boat. It's a philosophy that we think will work in the future. Unlike sourcing the variety Kent from various countries of origin and the problems this can produce, we offer the alternative of a fibreless variety from one country of origin and quite stable quality. This can give customers a lot of security."
"They are then certain of mangos each week of the same quality and according to the same ripening schedule. Just a few advantages of one variety all year round," concludes Bert. "Of course we will continue to carry the other varieties (Keitt and Kent September to mid January), but Palmer will be our overtone." He believes carrying a year round Kent programme is impossible. "The flowering of the Kent is really determined by nature and won't be controlled like the other varieties."
For more information:
Bert Westera
Sweet Fruits, S. A.
Westerstraat 154
7811 MV Emmen
T.: +31-591-745111
F.: +31-591-745119
[email protected]
