Volume I, Issue 3 · October 13, 2004

Ecuador's Mango Harvest Begins

Map of Ecuador Mango Growing AreasEcuador's mango harvest begins during mid-October and ends in early February. The first of Splendid's 1 million cartons from Ecuador will be available for loading in L.A. November 1st. The early crop looks like it will be 30% 12's, 30% 10's, 15% 9's and 15% 8's. The variety will be 90% Tommy Atkins. Splendid will receive an average of 12 loads weekly during November and volume will increase in December. We anticipate the market will start around $6.00 fob and decrease weekly from there until the New Year. In Ecuador, mangos are cultivated mainly in the province of Guayas, with an approximate surface of about 7,700 hectares in full production, of which 6,500 are dedicated to export.

Ecuador's production is exported mainly to the USA, which receives 70-75%. The peak of production is reached during December. Early January is a good time to promote mangos from Ecuador in the USA. Due to its latitude, Ecuador produces mangos with exceptional red blush. Ecuador's total export volume is up to 7 million boxes (4 kg each) of mangos. The country has five mango packing plants. The installed capacity for hot water treatment is 800 Tons per day. Current exports represent 70% of the installed capacity. Approximately 1,500 people are employed to harvest mangos in Ecuador.

National Mango Promotion Board becomes Law

After four years effort through the Fresh Produce Association of the America's (FPAOTA), the USDA published the final rule for the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order on October 4th. The effective date is November 3rd, 2004 and an assessment of one half-cent per pound begins January 3, 2005. This initiative received overwhelming industry support in order for the referendum to pass. The assessment will create a $2.5 million budget for generic commodity promotion for the mango, which amount will vary annually with import volume.

Members of the FPAOTA steering committee for this initiative expect that U.S. mango consumption can be doubled in the short term, through promotion, to reach levels of pineapple consumption in the U.S. A 20-person board will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture before the New Year. The nomination process has already begun. For more information, contact Jeanette A. Palmer, Research and Promotion Branch, Agricultural Marketing Services, USDA, at (202) 720-9915.

Details of the initiative will be shared at the annual PMA convention in Anaheim at the mango industry's annual meeting. This year the mango meeting is from 4:45 – 6:15pm on Sunday, October 17, 2004. The meeting is open to all industry professionals. Please join us at the Convention Center Marriott in Anaheim, 700 West Convention Way to learn more about mango promotions, past, present, and planned.