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.

Ronald Cohen, vice president of sales-member of River Edge, N.J.-based Vision Import Group, which works hand-in-hand with Vision Produce Co. in Los Angeles, predicted “measured growth” in mango business for the two companies.

He said the company is perfecting its grower model and has seen growth each year. “We’ve had different partnerships and have put in different business models each year,” he said. “They all have their challenges but we continue to grow. We’re growing every year.”

Opportunities to distribute mangos throughout North America continue to grow for C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN.

“While mangos are popular around the world, they are still gaining traction in the U.S. due to a lack of familiarity with the item,” said Category Manager Jose Rossignoli.

Hood River Cherry Co. is continuing on a calculated growth track and expects to see production jumps in 2015 and 2016. “Younger acreage will be coming into production,” said President and Owner Brad Fowler. “We will have a 30-percent jump in production by 2016.”

The company, a family-owned business that specializes in high-elevation cherries, is located in Hood River, OR, and is a grower and marketer of late-season tree-ripe cherries. Fowler said physical conditions at high-elevation orchards give the cherries a rich, sweet flavor not found at lower elevations.

Reduced weather events will translate to an increase in cherry tonnage for Stemilt Growers LLC, located in Wenatchee, WA. “Weather has been very favorable in Washington both pre- and post-bloom,” Communications Manager Brianna Shales told The Produce News. “We are anticipating a nice crop of cherries starting in early June.”

Suzanne Wolter, director of marketing for Rainier Fruit Co. in Yakima, WA, said retailers can expect to see the kind of cherry crop from the Pacific Northwest that will enable them to promote the fruit at least once prior to the July 4 holiday, if not twice depending upon distance from Washington. “Information to date indicates very little, if any, overlap between California cherries and the start of Northwest crop,” she told The Produce News. “Retailers and growers alike will be scrambling to satisfy early demand.”