The Dominican Republic is starting it’s mango season, which peaks from March to August. “There has been a ban on exporting mango’s and now the market is open again, which is very good news. However, since we are still in the early beginnings of the season it’s difficult to estimate how big the export volumes will be," says Cesar Perez a fresh produce exporter from the Dominican Republic.
“Mango has been produced in the Dominican Republic already for thousands of years. Besides producing countries like India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines, the Dominican Republic can also be seen as a major producer. For example in 2013, we exported about 10 million kilos of mangoes in total.”
Cesar explains: “According to the Center for Agricultural and Forestry Development, mangoes in the Dominican Republic are commercially grown in the East and Western part of the country. However, different varieties are being produced in all different parts of the country. The most famous mangoes we produce in the Dominican Republic are the Banilejos, popular due to it’s rich taste and gets exported throughout the whole of Europe. As well Mingolo is highly demanded in the market because of it's sweet taste and yellow skin. Other more well-known varieties we produce are Gota de Oro, Haden, Palmer, Parvin, Tommy Atkins, Madam Frances, Keith, and Kent. We offer the Haden, Palmer, Parvin and Keith with a Global Gap certification, so we are able to export to the countries in which this certification is obligated.
Export market Europe accounts for 70% of the total export of mangoes, with the UK as the largest market. Besides Europe, also Canada and as well the United States are important destinations. Japan also imports mangoes from the Dominican Republic, however since this is only possible through airfreight, volumes are not high, continues Cesar.
Cesar is positive about this mango season. “We will probably have bigger mangos this season, since last year, we had to deal with droughts during the production period. As I have read, the Dominican Republic already exports about 25 thousand mangoes on a daily basis to the United Kingdom. All departing from Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo and from Puerto Plata Airport towards Germany, France, Italy. From there on products are distributed throughout Europe. I expect we will export more and more to Europe, with the UK as the imperative market for us.”
