W51 Mango Update: Surging South American Mango Exports Signal a Positive End to the Season Despite Weather and Price Issues

Winter Mango Supply Drops in the US Due to El Niño and Production Declines

The United States (US) heavily relies on winter mango imports from Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. El Niño-induced high temperatures disrupted critical flowering stages, severely impacting global yields. The Peruvian mango industry faces challenges, with the Ancash region's production decline leading to substantial economic losses. Also, the region is facing escalating input costs, which are up by 200%. Piura and La Libertad have experienced between 75 to 90% production loss, causing reduced shipments via Paita Port. Ecuador anticipates a potential production decrease. These factors collectively suggest a challenging market for South American mango exports, impacting the winter supply to the US.

Peruvian Mango Industry Faces Shortages, Affecting Prices

The Peruvian mango industry faces a challenging 2023 season marked by a significant shortage, triggering a price war among producers. Anticipated due to the persistent impact of the El Niño meteorological phenomenon on flowering, the shortage has resulted in up to 8,500 fewer containers available this season. Prices are escalating daily, with some reaching USD 1.63 to 1.90 per kilogram (PEN 6 to 7/kg) for sea shipments and almost USD 3.25/kg (PEN 12/kg) for mango by sea and air. Producers acknowledge the strain on customer affordability but are grappling with the need to recover labor and input costs, intensifying the complexities of the on-going season.