Adverse weather conditions have played havoc with Peruvian mango exports this season. A forecast by The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exports (APEM) reveals volumes will plunge by 76% this season to 60,000 tons.
In the 2022-23 season, the country reported export volumes of 250,000 tons, the fourth consecutive increase for the fruit.
The drop in export volumes has caused prices to surge, even double the price of last season for fruit transported by air.
APEM notes production in the San Lorenzo Valley, and pretty much every growing region was very affected by rains during March and April.
Maritime exports to the United States started about three weeks ago. About
95% of the country’s mango exports are by boat.
Forecasts indicate that the main market will be the U.S. since Europe will have some Brazilian mangos.
The APEM originally estimated exports to the U.S. would be approximately 8 million boxes, but that total has now been reduced to 5 million boxes.