Strategies for profitable mango production in the new millennium.
Campbell R. J.
Author Affiliation: Fairchild Tropical Garden, 11935 Old Cutler Rd., Miami, FL 33156, USA.
Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Tropical Horticulture 44 : 47-51
Abstract : The mango is now among the most important fruit crops imported into the United States, and is a year-round commodity in large-scale retail markets throughout the country. Mexico is the dominant supplier of this market, with about 80% of the import volume concentrated in the summer months. Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, and Puerto Rico (USA) combine for the majority of the remaining volume, with a small import volume arriving from other parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America. The dominant cultivars in the export market are Tommy Atkins, Keitt, Haden, and Kent. Increasingly, prices paid to mango producers have been lower than desired due to an over-supply during peak production windows. Mango producers are seeking strategies for more profitable production in the face of increasing supply throughout Tropical America. Innovative and/or alternative management strategies including safety-conscious or organic production, new pruning techniques, and growth regulator application for tree size control and fruit quality offer potential for increased profitability. Alternative cultivars such as Ataulfo, Julie and Edward have shown potential for increasing profits through the creation of new niche markets and price differentials in existing markets. A combined strategy of methods will be required for production to remain profitable in the face of increasing supplies and changing consumer needs.