Ciruli: Mexican mango production moderate through the summer
Ciruli: Mexican mango production moderate through the summer
TUBAC, AZ — Year-to-date on May 5, the Mexican mango industry was 1.5 million boxes behind 2013. But, mango shipper Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of Ciruli Bros. LLC, located in Rio Rico, AZ, indicated that by May 15 Mexico’s mango production would have gained steam as the deal moved from southern states toward the north. While the gap from last year will never be closed, there will be greater production this summer, he said.
The decline in 2014 production was predictable as Mexico’s mango trees had a banner year in 2013. Mango trees typically have reduced production for a year after a large crop. All Mexican mango varieties are down in production this year, he added.
While volume was down, through March and April Mexico’s mango industry enjoyed a relatively low level of competition for retail space on North American retail display shelves. By contrast, competition for shelf space with stone fruit, watermelons, grapes and many other commodities will put a pinch on mango markets. Ciruli projects “moderate markets with high volume” through the end of July. “If we get retail promotions, we will keep mangos moving.”
Ciruli praised the National Mango Board for its decade-long efforts to increase mango awareness in North America. That program has brought mangoes out of the exotic category. Now the coming years will bring greater sales to mango marketers, who will work to move a product that has become more of a commodity.
