Panorama Produce says word about El Niño weather system is spreading through industry
Panorama Produce says word about El Niño weather system is spreading through industry
During an El Niño event, westward-blowing trade winds weaken along the Equator.
The changes in pressure and wind speed cause warm surface water to move eastward along the Equator, from the western Pacific to the coast of South America.
El Niño events can impact fisheries and produce crops alike. And this year word is out that it is affecting the South American mango crop.
Rick Nagelberg, vice president of Panorama Produce Sales Inc., based in Mamaroneck, NY, said, “Everyone is talking about bloom drops on mango trees associated with El Niño.”
Panorama Produce was founded more than 30 years ago.
Mangos have grown into one of the firm’s top items. Initially, the company brokered mangos, but today it is an importer. It brings mangos into the United States from many different production regions, and on a 12-month basis.
“We started moving mangos from Brazil in late August, and they’ll run through October,” said Nagelberg. “Ecuador mangos run from October through December and Peru kicks in late December and runs through March. We also handle mangos from Guatemala, which run in April and May.”
Panorama Produce’s location is an advantage when dealing with the company’s customers in and around the New York metropolitan area.
Mamaroneck is located northeast of New York City, and not too far from the Connecticut-New York border. The majority of mango exporters are in South Florida, so its Northern location helps in working with its customers in that region.
The company handles Tommy Atkins, Kent and Atualfo mango varieties, and it sells them under several different labels.
“We have increased our import program, and we’ve increased our retail business,” Nagelberg noted.
The firm has customers across the board including wholesalers, foodservice operators and retailers. Its customer list is also diverse geographically.
A large percentage of its customers are in the Northeast, but Panorama also ships to many areas of the country, including Florida, Texas, California, Chicago and other places in the Midwest.
In addition to its numerous mango deals, Panorama Produce also has a strong watermelon program.
It brings in a lot of vegetables and melons from the West Coast to its East Coast customers.
