The most popular mangoes in New York are Haitian. There are everywhere, unlike the Dominican banilejo mango, which can be mainly found in upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
The Dominican Republic harvests other varieties in Bani and Peravia, such as the Golden Drop, Pascual, Sumozo, Manzano, Bombolon, Morado, and Irwin mango varieties, but they are very difficult to find in New York. The banilejo mango variety is not comparable with the Haitian mango as it is smaller, cheaper and less pleasant, according to many people.
The Dominican Republic has not taken advantage of its productive potential to export ecological mangos that have a better quality than the banilejo. Other mango varieties that are superior in size and flavor, like the ones produced in Cibao, the celestino, mameyes, prietos, and yamagui, among others, have not been marketed abroad.
According to data provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Haiti produces world-class mangoes but only exports about 10 percent of its harvest. Almost half of the fruit rots before reaching the market, partly because of the poor condition of rural roads and partly because of the mismanagement of trees and the mangoes harvested.
In addition, most producers of Haitian mangoes have less than a dozen trees, from which they don't get more than $1,500 dollars per season. Productivity tends to be low because small farmers lack training to properly take care of their trees, harvest, and transport the fruit properly.
As a result, nearly 40 percent of the fruit that reaches the packing plants is rejected. Besides Haitian and Dominican mangoes, the New York market also sells Mexicans mangoes, which have a high consumption in that community and are usually eaten with salt and spices.
Haitian mangos prices vary according to where they are being sold. They are cheaper in the street market, where they can be sold for a dollar if the fruit is too ripe. Supermarket prices are always expensive.
However, that doesn't mean you will always find the best prices in the street.
Source: primeraplanany.com