Mango monthly review: April 2020

The mango market saw a complete trend reversal in April. At the beginning of the month, the ongoing massive shipments from Peru, swelled by Brazilian volumes, came up against limited demand. The lockdown measures taken by many European countries in an attempt to halt the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out normal flows of merchandise. The closure of numerous stores, open-air markets and the out-of-home sector, as well as the restrictions on consumer travel, meant that mango consumption was stuck at rock bottom. Meanwhile, the supermarket sector favoured the most basic products. However, in the run-up to the Easter holidays, it showed renewed interest in the mango, somewhat revitalising demand. The availability of large Peruvian volumes, available at attractive prices in a context of a narrowed range, aided the product’s recovery, especially since incoming Peruvian shipments saw a rapid and considerable dip - though this was partially offset by Brazilian volumes. In the second half of the month, the market entered a new phase characterised by an under-supply which catalysed the recovery in rates, back to a higher level than the previous year. The Côte d’Ivoire campaign officially opened on 12 April, ensuring shipments for the end of the month. Prices for the initial batches from this origin, which entered the market in week 18, were in line with the last batches out of Peru.

The air-freight market supply was more complicated, given the suspension of numerous passenger air services. The dwindling Peruvian supply from week 15 led to rates rapidly recovering. This situation intensified over the following weeks, with prices reaching levels hitherto never observed. The product shortfall also benefitted the first batches of West African mangos (Burkina Faso and Mali). Yet these origins rapidly ran out of freight capacity, and shipments were haphazard. The limited fruit transport capacities simultaneously led to a considerable increase in air-freight prices, which represented an additional obstacle to importers amid the uncertainty over how sales would develop. The first Ivorian batches were sold in week 17, and as with sea-freight mangos, their prices were in line with Peruvian produce.

mango - europe - incoming shipments april 2020

mango - france - import price april 2020