Mango production in Peru suffers consequences of the El Niño phenomenon

The high temperatures experienced in Peru due to the El Niño phenomenon in the second half of 2023 have had significant consequences on mango cultivation, resulting in production below usual levels.

 

A mango importing and distributing company in the United States points out that this situation has generated a shortage of mangoes in the northern country, especially considering that Ecuador, another important supplier, also faces similar challenges.

 

This shortage is projected to persist for several more months. Although there was a temporary relief in supply with the arrival of two ships from Brazil in late November, this supply failed to meet core winter demand in the United States, resulting in a rise in prices after a brief decline. .

 

Mango trees require some stress to produce fruit. Normally, the dry season and cool nights provide the stress necessary for flowering, but this year temperatures in Peru and Ecuador remained warm at night, and rains came periodically, reducing the stress on the trees to produce fruit.

 

The result was limited and delayed flowering, which postponed the start of the season and decreased production volumes in both countries.

 

In Peru, the situation is particularly worrying, as only about 35% of its normal volume is expected to be shipped to the United States. The start of the season in Peru was delayed even further than in Ecuador, and harvesting and packaging is projected to continue until mid-March. Furthermore, the Peruvian supply competes strongly with the European market, which is the main destination for Peruvian mangoes, followed by the United States in second place.

 

 

 

 

source: management.pe