Peruvian mango exports fell by 68% over the previous season due to high temperatures that negatively affected the plants' flowering. According to the Rural Development Service (SEDIR), Peru exported 65,366 tons of mangoes for more than $188,640 in the first quarter of 2024. This is only 32% of the 200,470 tons it exported in the same period of 2023.

The adverse weather accelerated the ripening of the fruit ensuring that the harvest ended in early March. Exports were led by the region of Piura with 41,190 tons, followed by Ancash with 16,818 tons, and Lambayeque with 6,754 tons, according to Adex Data Trade data processed by SEDIR.

Peru exports its mangoes to the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, South Korea, France, and Chile, among other countries. Despite the decrease in production, farmers who managed to harvest mango benefited from an increase in the price per kilo, which in the Kent variety reached 10 Soles for the mango exported by air and 7 Soles for that exported by sea.

Looking ahead to 2024, cold weather conditions are favorable for better flowering. This means yields will increase but the fruit will be sold at lower prices. Producers who pruned between February and March and are now observing tender buds appear, should continue to irrigate their crops to ensure flowering takes place in August or September. The goal is to delay the harvest until April so it doesn't coincide with the harvest in Casma, allowing producers to obtain better prices.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com