Ecuador: Mango harvest will increase by 25%

The industry expects to produce about 2 million more boxes of fruit than in 2008, which was 7 million.

In about two weeks, the mango season will start in Ecuador, although in certain farms it has already begun, the sector provides a substantial recovery in production over last years season.

Between 20% and 25% will be the increase recorded in this harvest for the agro-export companies, said Bernardo Malo, president of Fundación Mango. In 2008, changes in the climate of the country- constant rain and low light -reduced fruit production by 40%, before that in 2007 the sector produced about 11 million boxes of mangoes, but last year that number dropped to 7 million.

"From the amount produced in 2008, we will this year increase to 9 million, which is a very important figure for the country," said Malo, while noting that this season's harvest has started without any problems, due to "the fact that the weather has been favorable. "

This is confirmed by Joaquin Ricaurte, representative of the Bonanza Farm, who said that on this farm which is one of the largest in the country and who will start with the mango harvest, with the variety Ataulfo. The increase will be 15% compared the previous year.


$ 15 million in sales was registered by the sector of fruit in 2008

In 2007, Bonanza produced 2 million boxes, but last season it only reached 1,800.000.

"The weather helped us quite a bit this year, so we anticipate that production will be higher with a better quality of fruit," said Ricaurte.

However, the sector is awaiting a possible forecast of the rains, due to the vicinity of the El Niño phenomenon, which is a big concern and can be "deadly" to the producers of the fruit.

"Because if it starts to rain early it makes it difficult for the harvest because the roads are damaged and there is no way to move the mangos. The impact of the rain itself causes damage to the fruit, "said Malo.

In response, the sector maintains constant contact with the Ecuadorian Agency Quality Assurance Agro (Agrocalidad) seeking preventive action, mainly, to the reproduction of the fruit fly.
 
A further issue that is bothering the sector is the price of mango per box, which in 2008 was between 4.50 and 5 dollars in the foreign market agricultural exporting companies benefited, due to the low production of fruit.

Therefore, for the present harvest it is expected that this value will be maintained or increased to $ 5.50 per box, said Ricaurte.

According to the Central Bank of Ecuador, approximately 11 million boxes of mangoes exported in 2007 accounted for revenues of over $ 21 million. While on the 7 million cases sold last season, the country recorded revenues close to $ 15 million.

According to information from the Mango Foundation, the main Ecuadorian fruit market is America, with 79%, while Europe and Canada have more than 7% each and the remaining percentage is what is sold to Mexico, New Zealand, Chile, among others.

Based on information by www.eltelegrafo.com.ec

Publication date: 9/29/2009