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1.2 World trade

Among internationally traded tropical fruits, mango ranks only second to pineapple in quantity and value. Major markets for fresh and dried mangoes in 1998 were: Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and The Netherlands, while for canned mango in 1998 were: Netherlands, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, France and USA. World market for fresh, dried and canned mango is distributed as follows: North America with 43 percent, Europe with 26 percent, Far East with 18 percent and the Near East with 14 percent (NFIT, 1999). Mango growing In Florida, Haiti, Guatemala and Brazil has increased steadily over the years. Mexico has a large share of the international market for mango exports and this is due to the good quality of its products and the great natural conditions of Mexico. Today the Mexican Mango Export Industry is building a powerful quality culture directed to satisfying the specific tastes of consumers all over the world. Mexico has a big potential in varieties like Manzano, Plátano, Oro, Ataulfo, Manila, Haden, Tommy Atkins, Keitt and Criollo, with an overall production yield of 12 tonnes/ha. (Emex, 2000).

Southeast Asian buyers consume mangoes all year round. Their supplies come from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia and most recently South Africa. Production figures during 1999 are presented in Table 3.

Table 3. Country mangoes production for Southeast Asian buyers.

 

Source: FAOSTAT, 2000

Each exporting country has its own varieties, which differ in shape, colour and flavour. Prices vary from very low for Indonesian and Thailand fruit too expensive for Indian fruit. In the United States of America, the prices vary with the season, higher prices found during February and March, when mango availability is lowest (Figure 14).

Figure 14. Yearly prices of mangoes in the United States of America. (Source: Emex, 2000)

 

a) World Trade in Fresh Mangoes

Most international trade in fresh mangoes takes place within short distances. Mexico, Haiti and Brazil account for the majority of North America s imports. India and Pakistan are the predominant suppliers to the West Asian market. Southeast Asian countries get most of their supplies from the Philippines and Thailand. European Union buyers source mangoes from South America and Asia. Although Asia accounts for 75 percent of world production, its dominance does not translate into international trade.

The European Market

Although domestic consumption has grown dramatically in developed markets in Europe, the United States and East Asia, per capita consumption is still low. Yet given the trend toward consumption of exotic fruits, these markets will likely continue to grow. The European Union has witnessed some of the greatest growth in mango imports, which rose from 17 161 MT in 1985 to 52 800 MT in 1993. Although the U.S. import market is nearly twice the size of the European Union import market, Asian producers find expanding sales to the European Union is easier. European acceptance of different varieties is greater, because of a large demand from Asian immigrant groups. Phytosanitary restrictions, such as those in place in the United States to prevent importation of fruit flies, are also less stringent in the European Union. Transportation costs are not as big a factor in exporting mangoes to the European Union as in exporting to the United States market: for example, India and Pakistan are able to compete with non-Asian suppliers to the European Union, whereas proximity gives Mexico and Haiti a clear advantage in supplying the United States market.

Fifty-four percent of European Union imports enter during the periods May to July and November to December, with peak imports in June. French imports for 1993 peaked in April and May, whereas United Kingdom imports were concentrated during the May to July period. German imports were spread more evenly throughout the year. Of the top suppliers, Brazil provided chiefly during the period November to December, the United States (Puerto Rico) during June to October, South Africa during January to April and Venezuela during April to July. Pakistan supplied the majority of its exports to the European Union during June and July; Indian exports peaked in May (Patanik and Klotzbach, 2000).

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