Guatemala's mango season started two to three weeks later than usual and estimates are that there will be a 20% to 25% decrease in volumes over the last year. Eddy Martinez, from the Frutas Tropicales SA distributing company, said this decrease in volume was "mainly due to the effects of climate change. The rainy season last year was very low and this has a negative impact on the trees. There has not been a good bloom and the little flowering there was took place very late."
The producer expects production will decline by at least 20%, both in his company and in the rest of the country. He also said they were trying to avoid this situation in the future by investing more in irrigation. "It's a situation that will continue happening in the coming years. As producers and exporters, we need to take corrective action. One of this measures is to have irrigation systems in 100% of our orchards. It's unavoidable," he said.
Martinez said the decline in production had increased prices. "As a result of the shortage of fruit, both in Guatemala and in Mexico, prices are currently very high," he said. However, he stated, he was unsure as to what would happen in two or three weeks, when production in both countries increases. "If the situation continues and prices do not fall as drastically as in previous years, it could offset our lack of production. We would have less product, but we hope it would sell at a better price," he said.
Currently, Guatemala exports to the United States and Europe (the Netherlands, Germany and Spain). "We are also working with the Ministry of Agriculture of Guatemala to export to Chile." Guatemala is also negotiating export protocols with Korea, China, and Japan.
Except for Mexico, Martinez does not see too much competition during the season, as Costa Rica's and Nicaragua's mango export season is already coming to an end. "Costa Rica sends a good volume to Europe. Nicaragua will end its season in two or three weeks. Only Guatemala and Mexico will be left in the market."
Both countries grow the same mango varieties: Tommy Atkins, Kent, Keitt, and Ataulfo. An interesting advantage for Guatemalan producers is that there has been an increase in the country's frozen industry, so they might divert part of their product to the industry if prices collapse.
Frutas Tropicales SA has about 80,000 trees and produces the aforementioned mango varieties. This year, the company is starting operations at a new frozen plant. Eddy Martinez is also the president of Guatemala's Association of Mango Producers and Exporters. "As a union, we are promoting the modernization of the crop to increase competitiveness in the international market," he concluded.
