Splendid Sentinel
Volume I, Issue 1 · July 21, 2004
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Los Mochis Growers Extend Mexico's Mango season
Los Mochis, Sinaloa
Mexico's late summer mango crop now peaks in Los Mochis, near the Sonora/Sinaloa border. Historically, N. Mexico's harvest peaked south of Mazatlan. Then the USDA certified the Los Mochis growing area a fruit-fly-free zone. Commerical orchard acreage has grown as a result. Los Mochis growers avoid the hot water treatment responsible for reducing shelf life and cosmetic appeal of mangos. This year's crop will be the largest ever. Splendid is importing 2 million cartons from the region. These Kents and Keitts are the best eating mango varieties, according to many mango aficionados.
The Kent variety is peaking for the next four weeks. Predominate sizes are 9's and 10's, although volume is steady in all sizes. These mangos eat sweet with a pleasing smooth texture. Market pricing will climb a bit heading in to August, but value is incredible for this fruit.
As the Kent harvest winds down around Aug. 15th, the Keitt harvest begins. Availability looks good through late Sept. These will be very large mangos. Splendid will market the Keitt Kolossal in sizes 5's – 7's. The Keitt crop will peak 7's, 8's and 9's. Packing will end Sept. 20 unless weather forces packing to stop earlier.
Before Mexico's harvest ends, Brazil imports will begin with light volume during early Sept. Shipments should increase by mid-to-late Sept.
Summer Citrus Volume Moderate
Splendid Products handles 30 million pounds of limes annually. However, lime volume from Mexico's famed Martinez de la Torre growing region will remain lighter than usual through Sept. A bloom problem is to blame.
Sizes are peaking 175's and 200's. Quality is steady and markets are stable. Movement is expected to increase only slightly during the summer season.
Grapefruit volume is also moderate, until at least mid-Oct. Quality is good and markets are stable. Heavy grapefruit volume is expected by late-Oct. There is also a modest volume of Foglo tangerine available until Oct. when the Sunburst variety brings heavier tangerine volume.
Splendid's J.B. Cutsinger has handled the company's citrus program since 1977. J.B. is a founding partner of the company and is available at (650) 342-4525 to answer your citrus questions.
Featured Grower: Daniel Ibarra
Ask many members of the mango industry, Who is Mexico's best mango grower?
and there is one name you're likely to hear more than any other, Daniel Ibarra. In fact, Sr. Ibarra was named Sinaloa's 2003 "Grower of the Year" by the grower's association of Sinaloa.
Sr. Ibarra runs an extremely well-organized mango operation in northern Sinaloa state, in Los Mochis, just a half day's drive from Nogales, Arizona. This region is certified by the USDA to be fruit fly free, so mangos do not require hot water treatment as in the rest of Mexico. And his orchards are immediately adjacent to a fresh water source fed by the Rio Fuerte and managed by a local dam. Ibarra maintains an ultra modern mango packing facility near his orchards. It has a capacity of 12 loads/day.
Outside of this geographical advantage, the strength behind Sr. Ibarra's orchards are a result of a hard work and professional management. He began planting 15 years ago and half of his groves are 5-8 years young. The balance is split between orchards that are 1-4 years old and those that are strong producers over 8 years old. This season he will harvest over 1500 hectares.
According to Sergio Palala, an industry veteran and long time mango procurement manager at Splendid Products, the Ibarra family pride shows in every aspect of the operations. From Perfectly straight orchard rows and weed free fence lines,
to A super clean packing facility and satisfied workers, this is a smooth operation,
states Palala, Everything is in order.
The operation employs 600 people year-round and 900 during the peak harvest season.
The company's three labels exhibit the family spirit. "Five Sisters" reflects the bond between Sr. Ibarra's daughters, "Twins" is a wink to his twin grand daughters, and "Daniella" is the name of one of his five daughters. The organization exports to the USA, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and the European Union, as well as supplying the domestic market in Mexico.
These orchards are home to late summer varieties, 51% Kent and 44% Keitt, along with 5% Tommy Atkins. While the Tommy is a blush variety, Kents and Keitts have better texture for eating and are more flavorful. However, the varieties do not compete directly, having different growing seasons.
Splendid Products has been Sr. Ibarra's primary investor/distributor for 12 years. The two organizations are growing together. We just signed another agreement,
states Palala, We have a long term relationship.
We will double our volume within four years due to previous plantings,
stated Ibarra, We are expanding from 3 packing lines to 6 for next year.
In 2004 Ibarra will export approximately 2 million cartons from Los Mochis to Splendid Products, for U.S. distribution.
New Arizona Subsidiary
Splendid Products of California is launching a subsidiary in Arizona. Four industry veterans joined the Splendid team this month in order to launch its new company. Stephen Kaczor will serve as Splendid's Director of Marketing, splitting his time between the California and Arizona offices. In Arizona, Tom Argyros is the Western Sales Specialist; Chris Long is the Eastern Sales Specialist; and Erica Franco is the Arizona Office Manager.
All four individuals previously held similar positions in the industry. Stephen Kaczor explained, We contributed to eight years of growth together. However, there were opportunities we were not able to capitalize on. Splendid Products offers very strong resources and unlimited growth potential.
Tom Argyros added, As a proven sales and marketing team, we feel our ability to ensure customer satisfaction is improved with Splendid's operations. We look forward to expanding Splendid's volume.
The new branch will office in Tubac, Arizona, and the home office in San Francisco will handle financial and administrative activities for both offices. The new office will handle Splendid's full product line consisting of mangos, limes, citrus, and other tropical fruits on a year-round basis. Chris Long commented, Splendid's reputation is excellent in the mango and lime industries; I am proud to partner with such strong performers.
Erica Franco added, Our ability to satisfy our customers and growers has increased greatly.
Splendid Products founders Larry Nienkerk and J.B. Cutsinger are pleased to announce the company's expansion. Larry Nienkerk stated, We had been planning for some time to expand operations to the Nogales area. By combining our management resources with such experienced new partners, this latest expansion will immediately benefit Splendid, as well as the tropical and citrus segments of the produce industry.
Splendid Products LLC is one of the USA's oldest produce distribution companies continuously managed by the same partners. The company has specialized in mangos and limes for 27 years. We are committed to providing a year-round supply of both products,
stated J.B. Cutsinger, The new subsidiary is a move welcomed by our grower partners and our customers.
Splendid's expanded sales and management team, from left to right:
Sergio Palala, Procurement Manager; Michael Nienkerk, Salesman - CA; Juan Carlos Rodriguez, Procurement; Stephen Kaczor, Director of Marketing; Erica Franco, Office Manager, AZ; Larry Nienkerk, Partner; Pat Anderson, Office Manager - CA; Tom Argyros, W. Sales Specialist - AZ; J.B. Cutsinger, Partner; Steve Milani, Salesman - CA; Chris Long, E. Sales Specialist - AZ