Brazil's mango exports to Europe take a hit
Brazilian Tommy Atkins mango exports to Europe have dropped by 60% in week 26, due in part to a strong domestic market and supermarket chains opting for less fibrous varieties.
Groupe AZ France fruit manager Anthony Langlais, said Carrefour was no longer stocking the cultivar.
"Tommy Atkins is a nice fruit logistically, it travels well and it has a lot of blush. However, Carrefour has decided to have not a single Tommy Atkin on their shelves in favor of the Kent variety."
The fruit's fibrous quality is making it less popular than other smoother cultivars such as Kent and Palmer.
Netherlands-based Roveg sales manager Martijn Hollink, said given the amount of European summer fruit available, such as strawberries and peaches, a slight shortage of mangoes was not a problem.
"There is less demand than in the winter months and then Israel comes in with enough supply. I think in general, with Brazil as it has a booming economy they like to keep the good fruit on the domestic market."
Bud Holland BV managing director Peter Hobert, said shortages of Brazilian mangoes wasn't an issue with supply from Mexico still strong and Israeli shipments arriving this week.
He said consumers tended to prefer Kent because it was "less fibrous", adding that Tommy Atkin mangoes should be accompanied with toothpicks.
U.S. importers said it was too early to tell whether they would be like to receive less Brazilian Tommy Atkins as the first shipments aren't expected to arrive until Aug. 1.
Amazon Produce Network grower relations manager Gilmar Mello, said that Petrolina, which accounts for 90-95% of Brazilian exports to the U.S., had not experienced any weather problems.