Mangoes from Kenya: Production, Varieties, and Competition

Production and Varieties

Kenya is the third-largest mango producer in Africa, with a production volume of 772.7K tons in 2017. The Kenyan mango production has risen significantly, from 400 tons in 1961 to almost 800K tons in 2017. The production quantity in 2019 is expected to be very large since the weather conditions during the growing season were favorable due to a good balance between sunlight and rainfall. During the flowering season of Kenyan mangoes in July there was a lot of rain, which was beneficial for mango yields.

The mango season in Kenya has just commenced and will last until March. Around 95% of Kenyan mango production is the Apple Mango variety, according to Direne Packaging. The Apple Mango is juicy and sweet and is mainly meant for fresh consumption. The other Kenyan varieties, such as the Ngowe variety, are mainly sold to juice processors, whereas the Kent, Tommy Atkins, and Van Dyke varieties are mostly used as ingredients in salads, desserts, and other dishes.

Competition in the Export Market

Kenya only exports 3% of its total mango production with an export volume of approximately 9.7K tons in 2018. The domestic consumption is around 95% and the other 2% is processed in the country. The Apple Mango makes up 80% of the total exports, mainly due to its large production volume and long shelf life: the Apple Mango can last 30 days in a freezer and will stay fresh for an additional month after that. Kenya mainly exports to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries. Its export markets largely overlap with India, the largest producer of mangoes in the world. However, Kenya’s peak season differs from the Indian season, providing Kenyan exporters with export opportunities.

Furthermore, as the Kenyan Apple Mango is mainly destined for fresh consumption, it does not compete directly with the Indian Alphonso variety. Alphonso is a very popular variety in the Middle East. The variety has a high juice content and is thus mainly exported to juice processors in the region. Even though the season for late Kenyan varieties such as Kent, Tommy Atkins, and Van Dyke overlaps with the Indian season. Kenyan exporters, such as Direne Packaging, expect to see a boost in mango exports over the next two years, mainly due to support from the local government and the International Trade Center (ITC). The ITC provides Kenyan farmers with subsidies for attending exhibitions and also aids in the marketing efforts of the Kenyan Apple Mango