South Africa: Less harvest Tommy Atkins, but average harvest expected from later varieties

South African mango growers are hoping that the size of their Tommy Atkins mangoes will make up for the poor pollination and fruit set despite the abundant flowering, possibly due to the cooler temperatures during that period, says Pieter Buys, mango grower and chairman of the South African Mango Growers' Association. A month ago there was a heat wave, which led to fruit loss, again especially with Tommy Atkins. In South Africa's main mango region, Hoedspruit, growers say the Tommy Atkins crop could decrease by 15 to 20%. The later mango varieties such as Shelly, Kent and Keitt were less affected by the weather and a good average harvest is expected from these orchards, says Pieter. The grower notes that Shelly's harvest currently looks better than last year, as did Kent and Keitt's. The start of the mango season is eagerly awaited Just like last year, the mango harvest in the early areas of ...