Mango suppliers in north-western Mexico are counting the losses of a frost just three months into the region’s harvesting season, according to local media reports.
Growers in Mazatlán claim the freezing temperatures (which occured in February) have resulted in a 75 per cent contraction in exportable fruit volume due to a shortage of fruit, poor quality and sizes, noroeste.com reported.
The frost has caused a 50 per cent drop in production while a further 25 per cent of fruit has failed to develop to full size, according to growers who disagree with the 30 per cent shortfall suggested by officials.
“There aren’t any mangoes on the trees and those that we do have are not good enough for sale,” explained Porfirio Salas Castillo, chairman of the Municipal Growers Committee.
Manila, Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins and Haden are the most affected varieties, as well as Keitt but to a lesser extent.
According to local suppliers, 80 per cent of the area’s mango production is usually exported with 20 per cent heading for the processing industry and the national market.
This year, however, the industry claims that percentage share will be reversed.
