North American importers' viewpoint of a decade of Latin American mango exports.
Campbell C. de B., Campbell R. J.
Author Affiliation: Private Consultant, 15300 SW 268 ST., Homestead, FL 33032, USA.
Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Tropical Horticulture 48 : 62-64
Abstract : Mango is available year-round in the US market, with Latin American imports principally from Mexico and Brazil and to a lesser extent Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru. Quality and price stability have improved considerably over the last decade, but many aspects of the exporter/importer business relationship could be improved. Potential improvements include enhanced communication between exporters and importers, knowledge of responsibility and rights, and quality control issues. An assessment was made within the North American market of experiences with imported mangos from throughout Latin America. Importers were interviewed and their responses analysed to suggest improvements in the exporter/importer relationship, and in commercial practices between both parties. Nearly all respondents expressed the need for improved communication, trust, consistency of quality standards, education and the improvement of handling procedures.