Peruvian Mango Industry on the Rise and Opening New Markets in 2022

Fresh Mango

Peru

Published Feb 18, 2022

Peruvian mangoes have been increasing in exports over the past seasons. In the 2020/2021 season Peruvian mango reached an export volume of 232,683 tons. So far in the 2021/2022 season, Peru has already reached an export volume of 191,609 tons which represents a 10% increase from the same period last season. It is expected that by the end of this season Peru will reach an export volume of 332,268 tons, which will represent an increase of 42.8% from the previous season. The increase in exports can be attributed to the increase in production land and the new markets that Senasa is opening.

According to the Peruvian Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri), in the 2020-2021 mango season, Peru reached an export volume of 232,683 tons. During that season, mangos were exported to 34 countries, with the Netherlands as the largest importer with 40% of the total export volume and the United States with 29%. Other importing markets included Spain, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Chile, and England. Peru's National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa) inspected the mangoes exported for quality and pests to comply with international regulations, which contributed to great success in exports.

According to Senasa, Peru has 6,762 certified mango production farms mainly located in Piura, Lambayeque, and Ancash, 89% of which are small with less than five hectares of land destined for mango production. The export success obtained by small producers has encouraged other farms to transition into mango production, consistently increasing the Peruvian harvest area.

Until January 2022, the reported export volume reached 191,609, and the export value reached USD 235 million. Current exports represent a 10% increase in export volume and a 5% increase in export value from the same period last season. Until the end of the season in May, predictions state Peru will face a decrease in the export volume due to a container shortage and an increase in freight costs. Despite the projected drop in exports, predictions state that by the end of this season, Peru will reach a mango export volume of 332,268 tons, which will represent an increase of 42.8%.

Source: Fresh Fruit Peru

So far this season, the main export destinations were the Netherlands, the United States, and Canada, which together represent over 72% of the total Peruvian mango exports. The Netherlands has increased its Peruvian mango imports by 25% compared to the last season, importing 64,548 tons. It is expected that the Netherlands will keep an upward trend for their Peruvian mango imports for the rest of this season, and the next season. The United States lost the spot as the biggest Peruvian mango importer, even though its export volume grew by 5% reaching 62,827 tons. Canada only imported 9,634 tons, which represents an 8% decrease from the same period last year. Producers hope exports to Canada will recover during the rest of the season and next season.

Senasa has been opening new markets during the rest of this season and next season. On January 24, 2022, South Africa became the most recent market that approved Peruvian mango imports after their phytosanitary authority approved the sanitary requirements. Senasa opened new markets during the past decade in Japan, Uruguay, South Korea, and now South Africa. It is expected that more markets will open in the next couple of years and that the mango production area that currently stands at 17,000 hectares will keep growing to cover the demand.