US mango imports show modest growth in the first nine months of 2021

Published 2021년 11월 2일

Rising mango consumption in the last 10 years in the USA has secured increasing import levels of this tropical fruit to the country. US mango and mangosteens imports grew by 51% from 2011 to 2020 to a record 573,800 tons. The upward trend has also been observed in the current year. The data of the US National Mango Board (NMB) show that in the first nine months of 2021 US mango imports increased by 1.6% year on year. Lower deliveries from Mexico in July-August 2021 were offset by higher shipments from Brazil in September 2021. This is the time when the US begins to build up imports from South America, as mango production seasons in Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru gain momentum.

In March-April 2021, US mango imports were 25% higher than in the same period in 2020. In July-August, the shipments from Mexico to the US decreased dramatically due to the lower availability of export-quality mango, as adverse weather conditions in the producing regions limited the growth of the fruit. In addition, the US market was still saturated with record-high import volumes from the beginning of the year.

In September 2021, imports more than doubled and exceeded 43,000 tons thanks to larger supplies from Brazil, export volumes traditionally increased in September-December, when the season was at its peak.

Source: US National Mango Board

The main accelerator of US mango imports is the constantly increasing demand in the domestic market. According to the National Mango Board, per capita consumption of mango in the USA increased by 44% from 2011 to 2020 and reached 1.65 kg. However, there is still a lot of room for growth, given the fact that Mexico’s per-capita consumption, the world’s top exporting country, is more than 13 kg a year per capita. According to the estimates of the NMB, US consumption may increase to 3.18 kg in the next ten years thanks to changing consumer awareness about this fruit. It is a great source of vitamins and valuable nutrients. As USDA data show, one fruit of mango (336 g) contains 564 mg of potassium as well as 122 mg of vitamin C and many other antioxidants. It also contains 3g of fiber, which corresponds to 12% of the daily requirement.

Seasonality of US Mango imports

US consumers enjoy mango availability the whole year round thanks to complementary production seasons in the main exporting regions: Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. Mexico starts its mango production season in January, and it lasts until the end of September. Long seasonality, as well as a favorable geographical location, allowed the country to become the largest mango exporter to the USA. In September, when the Mexican season dwindles, South American producers enter the trading arena, as intensive harvesting begins in Brazil. Later in November and December, exports from Brazil are enhanced by hefty shipments from Ecuador and Peru. The latter supplies the lion’s share of its fresh mango volumes to the US in December-February.

Source: Tridge

Mexico accounts for 67% of total US mango imports in 2020. While being an absolute leader in the US market, Mexico’s presence in the US market has strengthened by 5% over the past 10 years amid higher production volumes, constantly growing demand, and proximity to the USA. The last factor especially plays into Mexican suppliers’ hands, given that the US southern states and West Coast are the heaviest consumers of mango.

However, in 2021 Mexico’s mango export to the US may decrease slightly compared to 2020. The US NMB shows that in January-September 2021, Mexico shipped 342,000 tons of fresh mango to the USA, which is 3% less year on year. Given the fact that over the last three years the average Mexican export of mango to the USA was 1400 tons in October-December, the overall supplies to the US might be lower than last year. This creates a good chance for South American exporters to offset the gap and consolidate their presence in the US market.

For Brazilian and Ecuadorian exporters, the 2021 mango exporting season looks very optimistic. As most of the volumes have been contracted, exports from these South American countries are expected to increase in 2021. Firm demand in the US market is the main reason for the increased volumes. According to the NMB, Brazil’s exports to the USA are expected to reach 52,200 tons, 11% more than in 2020. The projections for Ecuador are even higher, with the volumes forecast to exceed 57,200 tons, a 23.5% surge compared to 2020. Peru’s shipments in the 2021/22 season* are projected to be on par with last season’s volume at 68,100 tons.