Mexican Mango Guide

Producers/Farms-> Packhouse -> Logistics/Traders -> Storage -> Exporters

Producers/Suppliers sometimes export themselves or through a trader. Most of the orders are received as sales programs, and in order to meet specific quality and volume demanded, suppliers may buy from other suppliers while still taking care of the traceability. Because the industry is somehow dominated by big producers within the region, an oligopoly seems to exist. The government shows support by providing subsidies for small farmers, but such subsidized products are sold in the local market. 

The agents and brokers play a big role as they connect several farmers and buy or trade from them. They also retrieve and store from several small farms. Moreover, there is a very strong bond between the suppliers, along with technical assistance among local and regional associations. 

Mango cultivation in Mexico takes place in the Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula, South, North, and part of the Pacific Coast of the country; however, the main commercial producing states are Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz.

In 2021, Chiapas, Guerrero, and Oaxaca produce around 22% of the total national production, while Sinaloa and Baja California Sur produce 34.51% of the total national production.

Sinaloa produced 398 thousand mt, Guerrero 390 thousand mt, Nayarit 322 thousand mt, and Chiapas 268 thousand mt.

• Honey (Ataulfo): The flavor profile of honey mangoes is sweet and sour with tropical fruit notes. Honey mangoes have a very small seed, so there is a high flesh-to-seed ratio. The color is vibrant yellow and the shape is small and flattened like an oblong shape. The primary sourcing countries are Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil, and peak availability is from March to July.
• Francis: The flavor profile of Francis is sweet and fruity. Francis mangoes grow on small farms throughout Haiti and are also sourced from Ecuador. The Francis variety is bright yellow in color with green overtones. They are oblong-shaped and peak in availability between May to June.
• Haden: The Haden mango is sweet and sour with a slight, bitter aftertaste of tropical fruit. The flesh is firm due to the fine fibers and the variety comes in medium to large sizes. The primary sourcing countries include Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru, and peak availability is from March to May.
• Keitt: The Keitt mango is sweet and fruity with notes of citrus. Keitt mangoes are popular in Asian culture, where they are enjoyed in their mature-green stage. This variety is primarily sourced from Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, and the U.S., peaking in availability between March to April as well as August to September.
• Kent: Kent mangoes are sweet with hints of sour notes and are characteristic for their peach and tropical aroma. The Kent variety originated in Florida in the 1940s and is ideal for juicing and/or drying. Ripening cues of the Kent include yellow undertones or dots that cover more of the mango over time.
• Tommy Atkins: Tommy Atkins is tart with sweet, tropical, and citrus flavors originating from Florida. The Tommy Atkins is the most widely grown commercial type coming into the U.S. This variety is known for its dark red blush hue and oblong shape. They are primarily sourced in Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, and Guatemala while peaking in availability between March and July. 

Mexican Mango season begins in early January and runs until the second week of September.

Season production of mangoes along the coasts (either on the Pacific or on the Gulf coast) seems to occur at the same time due to similarities in climate. The main harvest season is in February-September. Cultivation season is on summer-spring in all the producing states due to plenty of rain.

The top destinations are the US and Canada, while the most attractive markets are Japan and Korea. 

Local transportation is well-established. However, because Chiapas, the main production region, is 10 hours from the port of Veracruz, the transportation cost is high. The port is around 5-6 hours away from other production regions. 

Export process: Getting ready the PO according to buyer’s needs in terms of volume, size, and quality-> Internal and external quality inspections -> Prepare required documents such as Commercial Invoice, Quality Certificates, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, Packing List, Exports Declaration, Goods’ and Container Insurance, Logistics Processes and Customs Processes.

Deal payment: FOB (Free on Board) and FCA (Free Carrier) are mainly used. However, sometimes, the deals are done in CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) and CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To).

The documents required for exporting include Tax ID (RFC), Trademark or proof of authorization to use the commercial name, Bar code acquired from AMECE, and the certificates required by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) of the Ministry of Health.

Export Documents Required:

Tax ID (RFC) of the company or person who is exporting

Trademark or proof of authorization to use the commercial name

Bar code acquired from Mexican Association of Standards for Electronic Commerce (AMECE)

Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) of the Ministry of Health (SSA) issues the following certificates:

Free Export Certificate

Export Certificate

Certificate for export of conformity of good sanitary practices

Certificate for export of conformity with product analysis

Export authorization from the Ministry of Trade

The documents that prove to comply with non-tariff barriers

Commercial invoice

Packing list

Certificate of Origin

Phytosanitary Certificates from SENASICA (National Service of Health, Safety, and Agrifood Quality)

Exports Declaration

Below is the list of documents required for export:

• Tax ID (RFC) of the company or person who is exporting
• Trademark or proof of authorization to use the commercial name
• Bar code acquired from the Mexican Association of Standards for Electronic Commerce (AMECE)
• The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) of the Ministry of Health (SSA) issues the following certificates:

         1. Free Export Certificate

         2. Export Certificate

         3. Certificate for export of conformity to good sanitary practices

         4. Certificate for export of conformity with product analysis

• Export authorization from the Ministry of Trade
• The documents that prove to comply with non-tariff barriers
• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of Origin
• Phytosanitary Certificates from SENASICA (National Service of Health, Safety, and Agrifood Quality)
• Exports Declaration

Most common quality related issues are regarding product development and remnants of agrosupplies such as pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, and vitamins. Problems also arise on post harvest handling. 

General quality check processes are incorporated in the following stages: farms and fruit development, harvest management, and logistics management (where temperature and controlled ATM are crucial). All these stages comply with HACCP.

-Internal Quality Checks: It is held during the selection and packing processes of samples.

-External Quality Checks: External verification units such as SENASICA, PrimusGFS, and Global GAP check the sample before shipments are loaded in containers and before the final departure. Moreover, SENASICA conducts due diligence on the farms and packinghouses annually, and licensed auditors inspect the farm and packinghouses for two weeks as well. For Mexican mangoes, 3rd party inspections are very common, and the fees related to auditing and certifications are paid by farmers/producers.

-Quality-Related Issues: Quality farm supervisor takes responsibility for harvest and packinghouse process-related quality claims, while other claims are handled by the suppliers through replacement policy during the next shipment or deducted from the remaining payment. 

There are quality regulations such as complying with local certificates such as SENASICA and NorMex, with global ones such as HACCP, PrimusGFS, Global GAP, BRC, SMETA; and USDA, USDA Organic, and FDA Registration (for the US Market).

The main markets for Mexican mangoes are the US and Canada. Before the coronavirus pandemic, mango distribution was at 80% for exports and 20% for domestic consumption. However, the current numbers stand at 40% for exports and 60% for domestic consumption and processing. According to the National Mango Board (NMB), the total projected export volumes to the US are expected to be around 75 million boxes. Total exported volumes for the 2020 season will be 6% lower on a year-on-year basis. In primary markets, Mexico faces little competition from South American producers, with suppliers noting that Mexican mangoes have higher sugar levels and differences in the pulp. While Mexico has not seen a direct hit to production from the pandemic, the country has experienced a general decrease in demand from its main markets, with the addition of export restrictions. Local wholesale prices have decreased by half in certain states in Mexico, where prices have gone from 400 to 200 Pesos. FOB prices to the US port of entry in Texas have been higher for mango varieties including Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, and Kent.