It’s been a tough season for mangoes.
So says Giorgio Ceciarelli of GC Imports based in Toronto, Canada who says consumption has dropped somewhat on mangoes. “I think the high gas prices and inflation have created less consumption on mangoes than we used to have. Demand has been steady but prices are lower than in other years,” he says, adding that to help push demand, he’s working on promoting the health aspects of mangoes such as their high vitamin C levels and their influence in regulating, and even potentially lowering, blood pressure.
Cost pressures
At the same time, mango growers and shippers continue to contend with escalating costs. “Freight costs are killing us--they’ve doubled the rates. Yes the gas rates are higher to but it doesn’t excuse the rising prices of the carriers,” Ceciarelli says.
As far as shipping regions from Mexico, Ceciarelli says it’s finished the first stage of shipping Ataúlfo mangoes from Mexico, the southern region of Mexico, including Chiapas (both North and South), Oaxaca and Michoacán though that will finish very soon. The second stage will begin in Nayarit, though it will begin a few weeks late by the end of June though lighter volumes are anticipated from Nayarit. Colima has also started with lighter crops and Sinaloa will also begin In June.
On other varieties, Hadens from the main producing region, Michoacán, are finished. Tommy Atkins will start in Colima, Jalisco and Nayarit at the beginning of June and Kents from the southern areas in small volumes have already started. ”But we have short crops so the prices are rising and hopefully they will also rise in the market,” says Ceciarelli.
And while Mexico is the dominant shipping country currently, Ceciarelli says that India and Pakistan are also trying to ship some mangoes however those are in smaller volumes.
For more information:
Giorgio Ceciarelli
GC Imports
Tel: +1 (416) 649-5775
giorgio@gcimports.ca
www.gcimports.ca