The Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM) has forecast a 40% year-on-year rise in shipments for the 2013-14 season, Agencia Andina reported.

APEM general manager Juan Carlos Rivera told the agency the season was 65% complete and would finish in mid-March.

"At the rate we're going, we'll easily exceed our forecast and we will be producing between 130,000 to 140,000 (metric) tons (MT)," Rivera was quoted as saying.

The story reported 522 containers were shipped in the sixth week of the campaign, reaching a cumulative total of 4,307 containers. This compares to 3,044 at the same point last year.

Rivera said three quarters of production was focused on the region of Piura, with Lambayeque and Ancash growing the remainder with shares of 15% and 10% respectively, the story reported.

At 95%, the Kent variety makes up the lion's share of the country's export mangoes, while half of the country's shipments are sent to Europe.

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