Carlos Villa of Higueral Produce says that their competitors also source their mangos from the same regions in Mexico – Nayarit, Esquinapa in the northern part of Sinaloa and Los Mochis in the northern part – which are their main producers in this period of time. In addition to these two growing areas, the company uses locations in Oaxaca, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa. While they have sourced mangos from Chiapas in the past, the company is not doing so at this time.
Villa characterized current pricing as hectic.
“Prices are all over the place,” he explained. “Last week, the price may have been $3.50 per fruit, but this week, the price might be $4.50 per fruit.” In addition, if problems develop with the crop, the market collapses.
Higueral Produce anticipates that its supply of mangos will go up, especially now that the Kent variety will be ready for sale. The main markets from which the company sees demand developing are the West Coast and East Coast of the U.S., according to Villa.
Currently, the biggest challenge that Higueral faces is the supply of mangos it needs. Until the Los Mochis mangos begin to arrive in its warehouse, supply isn’t as steady as the company would like to see. In addition, the company isn’t seeing the prices it needs to see, with the current volatility affecting what it pays.
