Germany and the UK as the main markets for dried mango in Europe

Germany is considered the largest market for dried mangoes in Europe. This was stated by Aleksandar Jovanovic, Export Marketing Consultant at Autentika Global, during his presentation at the CBI online panel discussion devoted to trade and consumption of dried mango in Europe, which was carried out last week.

The country imports some 1.8 tons of the product annually, but it is often re-exported to other European countries. The main suppliers for Germany are Burkina Faso, South Africa, Ghana, India, Thailand, South American countries (Mexico, Peru, Ecuador), and the Philippines. The German mango sector has a huge number of importers, wholesalers and agents, especially in Hamburg. 

Today, dried mango is being used as an ingredient for breakfast cereals, fruit bars, snacks, tea mixes, etc.

According to Jovanovic, the second important destination is the United Kingdom, with an annual import volume of around 1.3 tons, which is mainly distributed within the country. South Africa used to be the main supplier for the UK, but now it is losing market share to Burkina Faso, and such new origins as Gambia, Peru, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Ecuador.

France, Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy are the other large markets for dried mango.

Nevertheless, to be exported to all these countries, the product has to comply with strict quality regulations.

European legal market requires the dried mangoes to be free of artificial colours use, foreign bodies (insects, stones, metals) and pesticide residues, e.g. beta-cyfluthrin, benalaxyl, bromoxynil, mancozeb, benfluralin, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, thiacloprid. In addition, sugar infusion must be declared, and application of sodium metabisulphite must be controlled (SO2 max - 100 mg/kg - ppm). Also, labeling should include food information for consumers: nutritional profile, allergens – sulphites, indication of origin, and HACCP in implementation.

The Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries - CBI, was established by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1971, and for 50 years now it helps small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) strengthen their social, economic, and environmental sustainability. CBI supports enterprises' transition towards sustainable and inclusive economies.

photo: driedfoodie.com