Mango harvest has started in Sinaloa. "We are starting the last stage of the season and it looks good right now though I don't think it will last long. I think the season will end early," says Giorgio Ceciarelli of GC Imports, adding that the Ataulfo variety of mangoes will be picking until the beginning of August. Then red mango varieties such as Kents and Keitts from this region will begin at the end of August and into early September.
© GC Imports
Production is starting in the northern part of Sinaloa, also known as the "free zone" because mangoes can be imported into the U.S. without treatment.
Shifting regions
This all follows an early start to mango production in Mexico this year. "We finished with the middle part of Mexico–Nayarit, Colima, and Jalisco," says Ceciarelli. "Though we've had a lot of rain in Mexico and the quality is not that great."
© GC Imports
As for pricing, it's been low and demand hasn't been as strong as usual. That said, mangoes out of the free zone usually strengthen pricing given there's more demand in the U.S. for this type of product. "It takes a while for Canadian pricing to react," says Ceciarelli. "Right now, Ataulfo is seeing higher demand, and prices are rising a bit. Hopefully, prices on red mangoes will pick up, too."
For more information:
Giorgio Ceciarelli
GC Imports
Tel: +1 (416) 649-5775
[email protected]
www.gcimports.ca
