Peruvian Mango Exports Growing 15% YoY in Volume Driven by US Imports

Published 2023년 3월 20일

For the 2022/23 Peruvian mango season, Peru has shipped 226.8 thousand mt so far as of week 09, two months after closing the campaign. Compared to the same week last year, this campaign has seen a 15% increase in volume, with mangoes sent to 41 destinations. However, it is clear that the volume growth of the campaign is driven by shipments sent to the US market, which volume growth is 37% YoY so far. The preliminary export numbers for the 2022/23 season have placed the US as the leading destination for Peruvian mangoes, surpassing European countries which used to hold that place. Mango consumption in the US continually increases, and Peruvian mangoes attest to this market growth.

According to the Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEAM), Peru has shipped a total of 226.8 thousand mt of fresh mangoes, a 15% increase from the previous year. However, by week 10 of the year, mango shipments decreased by 3% to 10.2 thousand mt from the same week of the previous season. The latest decrease in volume is due to the start of the Mexican mango season, as it started to reach the US market with larger volumes, while other suppliers like Peru have started to decrease it.

For the 2022/23 Peruvian season, mangoes have been sent to 41 destinations. The US has concentrated 43% of all shipments, making the US the main destination for Peruvian mangoes for the first time. As of W9 of the year, the US had imported 100 thousand mt, which represents a 37% YoY increase. The Netherlands was the second destination for the first time as its usually the leading one, with 77 thousand mt for a 34% share of the exports, reflecting a 15% YoY increase in volume. The third destination for Peruvian mangoes was the UK, with 5% of the share exceeding its results for the 2021/2022 campaign by 49%. With this UK has climbed two positions in the list of purchasing countries, even displacing Canada, which was in third place.

Source: Tridge

According to APEAM, 46.2% (76.2 thousand mt) of the total Peruvian mangoes shipments went to Europe, with The Netherlands, Germany, and Spain as the final destination of the Peruvian-origin mangoes that come into Europe. However, the highlight of the Peruvian 2022/23 mango season is the increase in shipments to the US that was reached despite the logistical blockades suffered due to the political crisis. According to APEAM’s early season forecast, the destination markets would maintain their participation percentage so that Europe would concentrate 60% of the total fresh mangoes dispatched by Peru, the US would participate with 35%, and the remaining 5% would be shared between Asia and Chile. Therefore, the new preliminary data release for the export mango season surprises Peruvian exporters.

Mango consumption is growing continuously in the United States, becoming one of the most popular fruits demanded by North American consumers. According to the National Mango Board (NMB), marketing and research programs have increased the demand for mangos in the United States by 13% from 2013 to 2021. As a result, US mango consumption is increasing each year, and it currently stood at 3.66 pounds per person compared to 2.5 pounds per person in 2016. As a result, mango suppliers in the US have attested to continuous export growth over the last five years.

Source: Tridge

For Peruvian and other South American mango suppliers, such as Brazil and Ecuador, the key element for success each season in the US market is the seasonal window left by Mexican mangoes from September to February. Mexico holds about 53% of the US mango imports market share shipping intense volumes from March to August. However, when Mexico reduces its volumes by September, the US market becomes dependent on the South American supply.

Therefore, for Peruvian mangoes, the significant opportunity to gain market share in the US is arriving in the market as early as possible to get ship the most mangoes volume before the Mexican mango season.