Jalisco, Mexico – The coast of Jalisco produces 113,000 tons of mango but only exports a third of its production. As a result, Jalisco is promoting the production of the more profitable late-flowering varieties for the international market, where the mango has a high demand.
The production of Jalisco mango, especially the Tommy Atkins variety, competes in commercialization with other entities that export large volumes. But, at this time, Jalisco can’t export its mango to Europe due to the lack of adequate certification. It is only exported to the United States and Canada.
Jalisco ranks 13th among the entities that grow mango. The state has 7,000 hectares of mango plantations; 4,300 of them are located in Tomatlan and 1,400 in Cihuatlan. The remaining areas are located in Casimiro Castillo, Villa Purificación, Puerto Vallarta, La Huerta, and Cabo Corrientes.
Currently, mango production accounts for 8% of Jalisco’s agricultural production value, generating an annual average of 500 million dollars and more than 1,000 jobs in its harvest and marketing cycle. Now, the sector is looking to achieve better prices in the market.
“The mangoes that achieve a better differentiation are those that have a late flowering. The commercial window for these varieties is the best to achieve better prices in the market,” stated the director of Fruit and Vegetable Promotion of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER Jalisco), Nestor Olivares Mora.
Therefore, the ministry is encouraging producers on the coasts of Jalisco to cultivate the most profitable mango species for export.
There are several late-flowering varieties, such as Isis, Valencia Pride, Heidi and R 2 (of Australian origin), among others, which can be obtained through the National Institute of Research, Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP), to adapt them to the Jalisco countryside, as long as the packing houses are committed to promoting their plantation with a premium to the producer.
Agricultural authorities are working to provide training and technical assistance to producers in the integrated management of fruit flies and how to achieve good agricultural practices. They are also updating the geo-referenced producer register and completing the Approved Phytosanitary Professionals framework for the fruit’s commercialization in Europe.
Source: banderasnews.com
