Peru’s mango sector responds to concerns over alleged price coordination

Peru’s mango exporters have pushed back against claims that companies are coordinating prices, saying the market works like any other supply chain, where supply and demand set the value of the fruit. The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM) noted that Peru competes directly with Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico, all harvesting during the same season. Export prices, they explained, depend largely on what importers in the United States and Europe are willing to pay, based on available volumes, market conditions, weather, sanitary rules and global economic factors.

APEM stressed that exporters cannot set prices unilaterally, as the entire chain — from growers to distributors — needs returns that make the business sustainable. The group added that it does not support any practice that restricts free competition, and urged anyone with concrete evidence of illegal behaviour to present it to authorities rather than make broad accusations.

They also highlighted that the mango market is especially competitive this year, with Brazil and Ecuador shipping heavy volumes to the same destinations as Peru. With more fruit available globally, buyers have more options, and prices tend to fall for all producing countries, not just Peru.

According to the association, international markets — not Peruvian exporters — ultimately determine mango prices, which shift each week depending on supply, quality and buyer requirements. APEM concluded by saying that Peru’s results also depend on weather, production costs and what competing countries send to market.

source: agraria.pe

photo: bluebookservices.com