Mango consumption in the nation continues to increase, and consequently demand is stronger than ever.

Ronnie Cohen, Vision Import Group’s vice president of sales, said mangos continue to be a growth phenomenon in produce aisles and on foodservice menus.

“This positive trend will continue as consumers discover the versatility of the fruit,” said Cohen. “And the flavor profiles are fantastic. As new consumers experience mangos they will repeat purchases, hence increasing customer and consumer demand.”

He added that the National Mango Board is doing a great job of promoting mangos to the public, and that also makes for an extremely promising future.

Vision Import Group’s mango line includes Tommy Atkins, Atatulfo, Kent, Haden and Keitt mangos, and from all producing countries allowed to be received in the United States.

“We focus on the main variety that is specific to the exporting country,” Cohen explained. “From Mexico we handle all varieties, but we place special emphasis on the Ataulfo, which we market under our ‘Van Gogh’ brand.”

The company also handles mangos produced in Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.

Cohen said that adverse weather is typically the only variable that no one can control, and weather can always be a factor depending on country of origin and growing zones.

“We have no current issues related to weather, but Mother Nature can always change her mind,” he noted. “Adverse weather during bloom stage can affect set, and thus production, which we experienced in Peru this season. Unseasonable rains during harvest increase the risk of anthracnose, which is a very important factor to monitor.”

Anthracnose is a group of fungal diseases that affect a variety of plants in warm, humid areas.

Vision Import Group’s year-round mango program includes supplies from Mexico, which run from February through August or September. Brazil runs from August to October. Supplies from Ecuador are available October to December, Peru runs from December to April, and Guatemala ships from March to May.

“We have worked diligently over the years to develop quality growers in all major producing countries,” said Cohen. “This ensures that we have mangos every month of the year.”

Cohen also noted that Stephen Hitchings has been hired to manage its Florida sales office. And the Vision Companies, which includes Vision Produce in Los Angeles, has expanded its capabilities in Nogales to include a quality control receiver and larger dock facility with multiple cold rooms. The company also has a field representative at its partner packing facilities in Mexico.

The company is always looking for new commodity opportunities that fit its category profile.

“If we feel that it fits we will always look at the opportunity,” he said. “We are growing our markets now to include Canada, and we have a ‘Vision’ to market our brands in Europe in the future. Trials on our ‘Mojito’ limes have already been done with a strategic partner with some success.

“And we are working with our growers to provide better projections in order to give advanced pricing to support programs we have with some key customers,” added Cohen.