Guatemalan mango exports are forecast to rise to 4m cartons in 2011, up from the 3.4m cartons shipped last year, according to figures from the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport), reported by Prensalibre.
The anticipated increase is due to more favourable weather conditions this year, as well as the actions of the National Mango Board in the US which have expanded the market by 10 per cent in the last few years, said Eddy Martínez, chairman of Agexport’s Mango Committee.
Mr Martínez explained that 90 per cent of Guatemalan mangoes are shipped to the US, mainly California, Florida and New York, which are home to large populations of Latin Americans (the main consumers of mangoes).?
?The remaining 10 per cent is distributed among markets including France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands.??
Tommy Atkins represents the bulk (90 per cent) of Guatemala’s mango crop, followed by the yellow variety Ataulfo.
Trials are also underway with other red mango varieties such as Kent and Keitt, which are popular on the market due to their taste and size, according to the report.
