Taiwan is expecting a good crop of mangoes this season, weather permitting.
Last year the island was hit by a succession of typhoons throughout the mango season, severely reducing volumes.
Growers are crossing their fingers for favourable weather as the export season began in May. It typically ends in late August.
“Everything looks good, except a really slow start in terms of volume,” says Grace Huang of Taiwanese exporter-importer Grace Union Trade (GUT).
“Most of us expect a season of good supply, which means more normal than last year.”
However, everything hinges on the weather, she adds.
“Not only are we limited by the problematic and typhoon-prone seasonal challenges, but also the very obvious climatic disruption from the effects of global warming,” says Huang.
“The change in temperature patterns and the increased frequency and scale of rainstorms and typhoons take their toll on the quality as well as quantity of harvestable crops. We used to be able to say typhoon season started in high summer, but nowadays we can get typhoons in winter as well.”
Last year, Taiwan was hit by a succession of typhoons throughout the mango season, decimating yields.
Up to now the weather has been favourable in the Tainan area –Taiwan’s main mango-producing area, leaving growers to hope for a good harvest.
Taiwan’s main export varieties are Irwin, Golden King, Gold Star and Keitt.
Japan and Korea are the main markets for top-grade Taiwanese Irwin mangoes, says Huang. China, meanwhile absorbs large volumes of Taiwanese mangoes of all grades.
Australia is a developing market, she adds, but growth is limited by the high cost of airfreight.
