The Ecuadorian government hopes its country's mango industry will be able to capitalize on opportunities in Spain, where production is limited to the regions of Malaga, Granada and the Canary Islands for climatic reasons.

In information given to www.freshfruitportal.com by the Ecuadorian Institute of Export and Investment Promotion (Pro Ecuador), the agency said Spanish production could not keep up with demand, and a lack of year-round supply meant other mango-growing nations needed to come into the picture.

"This fruit is widely consumed in Spanish for preparing juices and ice cream, but it is also highly used in diverse culinary preparations," Pro Ecuador said.

"Spanish consumers prefer Spanish mangoes, but when they don't find them in the supermarket, they are inclined toward mangoes of Brazilian origin, followed by Peru, which in one way or another is the most well-known."

In 2012, Ecuadorian mango exports to Spain reached US$182,616, putting the country in ninth place for mango purchases from the South American nation, however this meant a participation of just 0.52% of total volume shipped.

However, this represents around one tenth of European consumption of Ecuadorian mangoes, with the continent purchasing aronud 5.26% of shipments.

The top mango suppliers to Spain in 2012 were Brazil, Peru, Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, with Ecuador in 12th place.

The U.S. is the main destination for Ecuadorian mangos, accounting for 82% of purchases, followed by Canada, the Netherlands, Colombia, Mexico and Belgium.

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