1. Weekly News

Israel

Israel's 2024 Mango Exports Face Challenges but Maintain Quality

Israel's 2024 mango export season saw a slight increase in volume, reaching 3 thousand tons, though it fell short of the expected 4 thousand tons. The summer's heatwaves, especially in Jun-24, reduced fruit size, resulting in smaller mangoes, but the quality remained satisfactory for key European markets such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK). Despite competition from lower-priced Brazilian mangoes, the stability of the Israeli shekel provided limited advantages. Mango exports mainly relied on air shipments, with smaller quantities sent to Canada and Russia.

Peru

Challenges in the Peruvian Mango Campaign Amid Drought and Market Strain

The Peruvian mango campaign faces significant challenges due to intense drought conditions, leading to smaller fruit sizes, accelerated ripening, and concentrated production, complicating market dynamics. Export logistics are further hindered by high container demand driven by competing crops like grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, along with limited freezing capacity at processing plants due to oversaturation. Many maquila companies reduced services, impacting demand for frozen mangoes. While the demand for ripe fruit offers some relief, it cannot fully absorb the excess supply. Growers in Piura are adjusting harvest schedules to align with Casma's production window, hoping to secure better prices by capitalizing on Piura's superior flavor profile compared to Casma's larger-sized mangoes and better commercial timing.

Water Shortages Threaten Mango Crops in Peru's Nepeña Valley

Mango crops in the Nepeña Valley, located in the Ancash region of Peru, face severe risks due to a persistent water shortage. The lack of water, which reduced supplies by 80% compared to previous years, mainly affects 2.3 thousand hectares (ha) of avocado and mango fields, primarily destined for export by early 2025. The drought left canals dry and reservoirs empty, hampering irrigation systems crucial for fruit development. Mango plants in bloom and avocado trees at primary growth stages struggle to survive, with irrigation now provided only once every three weeks. The ongoing water crisis mirrors the challenges faced in 2022, and if not resolved, it could lead to significant crop losses. In response, local authorities suggest building dams to store water and mitigate the impacts of future droughts.

United States

US Offshore Mango Season Faces Challenges, but Ecuador and Peru Lead the Way

The United States (US) offshore mango season began with Brazilian imports but faced disruptions from port strikes and limited shipping capacity. Ecuador stepped in with early shipments of Tommy Atkins and Ataulfo mangos, already shipping 8 million 4- to 5-kilogram(kg) boxes out of a projected 14 million 4- to 5-kg boxes, a significant recovery from last year's 5 million 4- to 5-kg boxes due to El Niño. Peru also started early with Kent mangos, which are expected to meet the Thanksgiving holiday demand, although smaller fruit sizes (10 to 12 pieces per box) could drive up prices for larger mangos. Peru's exports to the US are projected to exceed 23 million 4.5- to 5-kg boxes, a significant increase from last year's 6.1 million 4.5- to 5-kg boxes, ensuring steady supply through early Mar-25.

Senegal

Mango Export Industry in Senegal Faces Multiple Challenges Amidst Climate and Market Pressures

Senegal's mango export industry is facing significant challenges, including the impacts of climate change, logistical difficulties, and rising competition from Egypt and Latin America. Severe drought and heatwaves last season resulted in a 25% loss during the first harvest cycle, delaying the season and weakening Senegal's competitiveness. Although the second cycle, a later harvesting phase, showed strong production, a saturated market led to unprofitable exports and struggling growers and exporters. Despite Senegal's reputation for high-quality Kent mangoes, there is a consideration in diversifying into earlier varieties like Amélie or other crops such as dates and avocados. Optimism for the upcoming season remains cautious, with growers hoping for favorable weather conditions through April.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Mango Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Mango Pricing Important Exporters (W46 2023 to W46 2024)

Peru

Peru's mango prices in W46 declined by 10.89% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 0.70/kg. This also marks a 25.53% month-on-month (MoM) decline and a 35.78% year-on-year (YoY) drop. The price decrease is due to persistent market saturation driven by abundant supplies from competing producers in Colombia and Ecuador. The ongoing peak harvests in these countries continue to intensify competition, leading to oversupply and placing significant downward pressure on prices. Additionally, logistical challenges, including limited freezing capacity and reduced processing services, have worsened the oversupply issue, leaving growers with fewer export options. Despite the superior flavor profile of Piura's mangoes, adjustments to harvest schedules have not been sufficient to counterbalance the pricing impact of the saturated market.

Brazil

In Brazil, mango prices in W46 rose by 6.37% WoW to USD 0.58/kg due to increased local demand, particularly for the Palmer and Tommy varieties, as promotional campaigns in primary urban markets helped boost consumption. Additionally, easing logistical challenges, including the gradual resolution of shipment delays, allowed for better distribution within the domestic market, reducing oversupply pressures slightly. However, prices dropped by 6.45% MoM and 31.76% YoY due to persistent market saturation from peak harvests in the São Francisco Valley and reduced export demand from the US. Despite recent improvements, excess supply remains a significant challenge, weighing on prices compared to previous months and years.

India

Mango prices in India in W46 rose by 14.33% WoW, reaching USD 0.33/kg. This represents a 10% YoY increase. The increase in WoW and YoY prices is due to improved quality and a steady rise in demand as the winter harvest season begins, particularly in regions producing late-season varieties. However, MoM prices dropped by 8.33% due to the ongoing stabilization of the market after the initial seasonal price adjustment. Stable weather conditions in W46 supported harvesting activities, ensuring consistent supply to the market, which tempered further price surges.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Diversify Mango Varieties and Crop Portfolio

Senegal's mango growers should explore diversifying into earlier varieties like Amélie and other crops such as dates and avocados to mitigate the challenges of climate change and market saturation. By incorporating these varieties and crops into their production strategies, growers can reduce dependency on the traditional Kent variety and align their harvest cycles with market demands. This approach will help optimize exports, maintain competitiveness against Egypt and Latin America, and ensure a more stable revenue stream despite unpredictable weather and market fluctuations.

Optimize the Mango Supply Chain to Mitigate Disruptions

Mango importers in the US should streamline their logistics and shipping processes to mitigate disruptions from port strikes and limited shipping capacity. By diversifying shipping routes to include regions such as Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica), South America (Brazil, Colombia), and Mexico (with air freight options for early-season shipments), and building partnerships with alternative suppliers like Ecuador and Peru, importers can ensure a steady mango supply to meet growing demand, especially during primary sales periods like Thanksgiving. Additionally, exploring alternative US ports like Miami, Philadelphia, and West Coast ports such as Los Angeles and Oakland can provide further flexibility. Proactively securing early shipments and adjusting to fruit size variations will help manage costs and maintain consumer product availability.

Sources: Tridge, Agraria, AgroPeru, Freshplaza, FNS Agribusiness, Galilee Export, Mxfruit,