In W41 in the mango landscape, the mango season in Northern Sinaloa, México, faces challenges due to reduced exports in 2023. Exports declined from 17.5 million mangoes in the previous year to 16.3 million, a drop worth approximately USD 6 million. Production issues and complicated marketing at the season's start contributed to this reduction. To address these challenges, the region is exploring strategies to add value to its mangoes, as overlapping harvests with Southern Sinaloa caused saturation of fruit at industrial companies and reduced purchases, resulting in the loss of secondary markets.
Peru has seen a remarkable surge in fresh mango exports from August 1 to October 2, with a 950% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Over 2.4 million kilograms (kg) of mangoes were exported, showing substantial growth. Around 2.3 million kg of mango exports came from the Piura region, marking a 900% increase from the previous year. Additionally, Ancash reported a 1,605% increase, shipping 62.11 thousand kg compared to 3.64 thousand kg in the same period in 2022. During Sep-23, Peru exported 2.41 million kg of fresh mangoes, an impressive leap from the 66.37 thousand kg exported in Sep-22. While mango flowering has been limited in the 2023/24 campaign (Oct-23 to Mar-24), the season began well. However, experts predict a substantial decline in production and exports.
Peruvian mango exporters are grappling with a significant El Niño impact, resulting in an estimated 70% to 80% year-on-year (YoY) reduction in export volume for the 2022/23 season. This severe impact affected the Kent variety, which is the most commonly exported mango variety. The northern region of Piura, where temperatures have risen above 18°C, has been hardest hit. In Piura's fields, mango producers are observing only 20% to 25% flowering, with the unusual climate conditions experienced in Jul-23 adversely affecting mango and other crop production in the region. The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM) President has emphasized the need for research efforts to address the situation, especially with various mango varieties.
Furthermore, Peru's export of fresh mangoes for the 2023/24 campaign is forecasted to decrease by approximately 30% in volume compared to the previous season, which saw exports totaling 252 thousand tons. The delay in the current campaign, attributed to weather conditions, is anticipated to result in peak production during Jan-24 and Feb-24, with exports ceasing by the first half of February due to heavy rains. These rains can lead to fungal issues, such as anthracnose, affecting the fruit. As a result, there is likely to be an increase in frozen mango shipments, and reduced global availability of fresh mangoes may lead to higher prices. The delay in the current campaign is not expected to adversely impact the following 2024/25 season as it can be mitigated through early pruning of the trees.
Chile is in discussions with Vietnam to potentially facilitate the exchange of fruits between both countries. This initiative is part of a tour by the Chilean delegation to Vietnam, South Korea, and China. Chile aims to export cherries by air and introduce Chilean kiwi to Vietnam, while Vietnam seeks to export mangoes and passion fruit to the Chilean market. These discussions aim to strengthen bilateral trade and encourage reciprocity between the countries. Representatives from Vietnam's Department of Plant Health, Chile's Association of Fruit Exporters (Asoex), and Chilecarne have participated in these discussions.
Lastly, the Egyptian mango campaign, spanning from June to December, is currently at its peak. The season has shown significant improvements, with increased volumes and a rise in Egypt's ranking among the world's top mango exporters. Domestic and global mango varieties are contributing to this growth. During 2023, the primary destination for Egyptian mangoes is Saudi Arabia, with exports reaching 34 thousand tons, a 60% YoY increase. In addition, Egyptian mangoes are finding their way to various international markets, including Europe, Russia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Qatar, and Lebanon. Maintaining high-quality mangoes throughout the season is the main challenge for exporters. To address this, they have implemented disease protection programs, avoiding premature harvesting, proper handling, and using trained labor for selection and packing.