The Peruvian mango industry has sent its first Japan-bound shipment of the season last week, with industry volumes showing slight signs of recovery after a late start.

Peruvian Association of Mango Producers and Exporters (APEM) manager Juan Carlos Rivera told website Eltiempo.pe the Japanese market has only recently started consuming mangoes from the South American nation.

The exporter concerned was Tambogrande-based Distribuidora Internacional Agroindustrial, shipping the green-yellow Kent variety.

APEM's latest statistics bulletin shows total mango exports rose 55% to 514,528 cartons in week 51, which is 3.6 times higher than the 121,116 cartons sent in week 49.

Cumulated exports have reached 1,175,993 cartons for the season to date, compared to 4,550,305 cartons during the same period in 2010.

The amount represents 213 containers, of which half were sent to the Netherlands, 21% were sent to the U.S. and 9% were exported to Chile.

FLP del Peru has led the country's mango export companies in the season to date with 15% of the total, followed by Solcace (9%) and Eco Natural (6%).

Trouble at home

Rivera told El Tiempo while prices were high, this did not mean growers would recover the costs of their investments, as prices did not match rises in packing and transport costs, as well as the effects of exchange rate changes.

APEM president Ángel Gamarra told website Rpp.com.pe production in the key-growing area of Piura had fallen 40% to 130,000 metric tons (MT), of which 60,000MT have been exported.

He said falling returns had hurt nearly 8,000 producers in the San Lorenzo Valley, leading farmers to call on financial institutions to provide debt facilities.

Peru continues to look for new markets for its products to diversify risk, with the country's Exporters Association (ADEX) calling for renewed talks with India, while it is expected that talks will begin with Russia in the next year.

Photo: Mango Maven

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