Almost 600 people attended the Fourth International Congress of Mango Producers and Exporters on November 21 and 22 at the Fiesta Americana Guadalajara Hotel to share knowledge and explore ways to increase mango consumption. The Association of Mango Export Packers (EMEX) organized the event.
On Thursday, November 21, authorities and representatives from various organizations and associations, such as EMEX, USDA, and the National Mango Board, inaugurated the event.
Ana Lucía Camacho Sevilla, Secretary of Agriculture for Jalisco, mentioned that nearly 130,000 tons of mangoes are produced annually in the state, generating a value of 670 million pesos.
Concurrently with the congress, approximately 40 suppliers related to the fruit showcased their products and services in designated areas within the venue.
Attendees included producers, exporters, packers, distributors, academics, and mango promoters.
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Over the two days, they delved into cultivation innovation, trends, sustainable development, nutrition, and leadership. They also discussed commercialization and export strategies, the agroindustry, supply chain and logistics, and policies and regulations. The International Congress of Mango Producers and Exporters convened panelists and attendees from countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Spain, the United States, Mexico, and the Netherlands.
The next International Congress of Mango Producers and Exporters will be in November 2026.
Mango: A Juicy and Delicious Business
Five countries produce the most mangoes imported into the United States, but Mexico accounts for nearly 70%. The other countries are Peru with 13.9%, Brazil with 8.7%, Ecuador with 3.8%, and Guatemala with 3.2%, according to 2023 figures from the National Mango Board.
“In the last 20 years, mango availability has nearly doubled per capita,” said Ramón Ojeda, executive director of the National Mango Board.
Mango availability varies between fresh whole fruit, pre-cut, frozen, dehydrated, and various versions, and it is gradually being incorporated into prepared foods in stores, such as juices and pastries.
“The mango is a diamond that we haven’t finished polishing,” emphasized Malú Crespo, director of RFC Distributors.
Panelists at the “Consumer Trends” conference agreed that consumers need to be taught how to identify a good fruit, cut it, and its varieties so that it becomes a staple in their next grocery shopping trip. Stores like Walmart in the United States and Mexico and Loblaw in Canada strive to offer mangoes in their stores, even for online shopping.
“The best promotion is done by the mango itself, a good mango that is always on the shelf, and packaging also plays an important role. The consumer is increasingly educated, interested, and aware of what is happening. They are interested in knowing that it is a mango that has been produced responsibly and sustainably and supports everything. The customer wants to know what they are taking home,” said Dania Guzmán, senior manager of Produce at Walmart Sourcing.
More Than Industry, Nutrition, and Health
Consumers familiar with mangoes, such as Hispanics, Asians, and Caribbean people, seek the fruit year-round. Hence, the importance of the industry, its sustainability, and its relevance to nutrition.
“Agriculture, your industry, is providing the solution to human health,” said Allison Beadle, founder and executive director of Wild Hive.
Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development highlighted that during the first 11 months of 2023, the area dedicated to mango production totaled 219,452 hectares. In Mexico, 23 states cultivate the fruit. The most cultivated varieties in Mexico are Ataúlfo (30%), Manila (15%), Kent (15%), Tommy Atkins (14%), Haden (9%), and Criollo (7%), while other varieties account for 11%.
There are 50,000 mango producers and nearly 200,000 people working in the field, representing 10% of the total agricultural workforce, said Marion Avril, Director of Sustainability and Social Innovation at Driscoll’s and President of Ahifores.
Clark Golden (Amazon Produce)
Malú Crespo (RCF Distributors)
Iñaki Hormaza (CSIC)
Víctor Galán Saúco (ICIA – Fruticultura Tropical)
Ramón Ojeda (National Mango Board)
Ping Lu (ISHS)
Mexican Mango
EMEX shared relevant data, such as the total number of boxes exported during the 2024 season by state, totaling nearly 62.5 million:
- Sinaloa: 20,307,249
- Nayarit: 11,629,709
- Oaxaca: 11,583,048
- Michoacán: 9,832,922
- Chiapas: 6,022,560
- Jalisco: 2,647,717
- Guerrero: 274,103
- Colima: 158,580
Total: 62,455,888