After exporting 184 000 tonnes in 2018-19, 119 000 tonnes of which to Europe and 56 000 tonnes to the North American markets, Peru has begun the 2019-20 campaign looking set for expansion. According to indications given at the XVIII Congreso Internacional sobre el mango peruano, (Lima, Peru, November 2019), exports could exceed 200 000 t. Increased planting is enabling abundant harvests, although the alternate bearing phenomenon in the mango orchards and weather variations can affect the volumes available between campaigns. Furthermore, the 200 000-t mark was already beaten in 2017-18. Peru’s strength lies mainly in its production capacity. The professionalization of the industry is also an asset in terms of quality management of the fruit, subjected to long sea-freight transport times when bound for Europe. The country’s general context is also a definite advantage, with the large-scale production of avocado and other horticultural products favouring economies of scale in logistics. In addition, while the European markets are the main recipients, the origin has also firmly established itself on the US market, already heavily supplied by Mexico, Ecuador and to a lesser extent Haiti. Peru overhauled Brazil on this market several years ago.
Peruvian expansion was initially achieved through increasing its export volumes, and then by extending the export calendar. Shipments previously came into Europe from December to mid-April. They now extend from November to May, which has the effect of modifying the European supply calendar, by gradually gnawing into the niche of West Africa, the EU’s historic supplier. There are still considerable production variations from Peru between years (as in spring 2019), but the trend is there, especially since West Africa often starts late, helping Peru gain a foothold. There is a risk of seeing intensified competition at this period when Peruvian shipments are winding down and when South African shipments are starting. For the past several years, Côte d’Ivoire, the main West African supplier, has concentrated its shipments in May, with volumes fairly stable at around 30 000 t. The shock of the transition from Peru to West Africa leads to an overall over-supply that could cause a collapse in market conditions. Can this competition be accommodated, or will it cause redistribution of market share? Is Peru as an origin not favoured by the constant quality of its produce, alongside its price competitiveness?
Another issue is taking shape concerning the capacities of the origins to meet the new regulatory requirements of the European market. The implementation of fruit fly infestation management programmes remains a major concern for operators, both Peruvian and West African, and will probably affect the establishment of these origins on the European markets over the coming campaigns.
mango - peru - exports
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