Ciruli Bros. starts transition of mango crop as season kicks into high gear

May is typically the peak month for mango production, with volume ramping up across multiple varieties and growing regions.

Ciruli Bros., based in Nogales, AZ, will be increasing its Champagne-branded Ataulfo variety from the Mexican state of Nayarit, and Kents will be coming into production in mid-May, available through the end of July. The Mexican mango season is flanked by the Keitt variety, which ships from early August through November.

In early May, primary varieties were Ataulfo and Tommy Atkins.

Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer, said Champagne shipments are behind from last season at the same time, because of early rains and a late start to the season in Chiapas. “We are hoping that the crop from Michoacan and Nayarit have better production so that we can improve volume between the months of May through July,” he said.

2025 challenges

The 2025 season has brought some challenges to the industry, starting with President Trump’s tariffs, which offset the ability to pre-price fruit, causing uncertainty for making ad decisions. Ciruli said the tariffs affected movement during the peak southern mango deal in Mexico.

“We have also had difficulty getting overtime hours approved in Mexico due to U.S. Department of Agriculture and Mexican labor law restrictions,” he said. “This has limited the number of days and hours of overtime that can be worked.”

This has led to an increase in availability of irradiated mangos at U.S. retailers, resulting in issues that include fruit not being properly labeled as irradiated in produce departments.

Ciruli said pricing has been reasonable at stores compared to other spring produce items, and support has been strong for Easter, Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day promotions.

“We do hope the review of USMCA will address the tariff issues, however, if anything, to give us all longer-term stability in the marketplace,” he said.

Consumer preferences

Consumer demand for packaged goods continues to increase, including multiple packs in clamshells and 5-pound display-ready cases, Ciruli said. Movement for these packaging options has increased over the prior season, and Ciruli Bros. expects the trend to continue.

Current estimates call for the late deal in Northern Mexico production areas to be a bumper crop, with promotable volumes in June and July for Champagne and round mangos, Ciruli said.

Ciruli Bros. markets its round mangos under the Mr. Mango, Sr. Mango and Super Mango brands.