• Topics: Food and Resource Economics  |  Evans, Edward A  |  International Trade  |  Mango 

Recent Trends in World and U.S. Mango Production, Trade, and Consumption¹

Introduction

Mangoes are produced in over 90 countries worldwide. Asia accounts for approximately 77% of global mango production, and the Americas and Africa account for approximately 13% and 9%, respectively (FAOSTAT 2007). Although not a major mango producer, the United States has developed most of the popular cultivars traded on the international market. It is also the largest single-country mango importer. This article summarizes some of the recent trends in world and U.S. mango production, trade, and consumption.

Global Mango Production, Imports, and Consumption

In 2005, world production of mango was estimated at 28.51 million metric tons. Between 1996 and 2005, production grew at an average annual rate of 2.6%. Table 1 shows the world's top ten mango producing countries, which account for about 85% of the world's mango production.

India is the largest producer of mangoes, accounting for 38.6% of world production from 2003 to 2005. During that period, India's mango crop averaged 10.79 million metric tons, followed by China and Thailand at 3.61 million metric tons (12.9%) and 1.73 million metric tons (6.2%), respectfully. Other leading mango producers during the 2003 to 2005 period include Mexico (5.5%), Indonesia (5.3%), Pakistan (4.5%), Brazil (4.3%), the Philippines (3.5%), Nigeria (2.6%), and Egypt (1.3%).

Although currently only 3% of the world production of mango is traded globally, this represents a noticeable increase over the quantities traded 20 years ago. In terms of distribution, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and Haiti supply the majority of mango imports to the North American market. India and Pakistan are the predominant suppliers to the West Asian market. The Philippines and Thailand supply most of the Southeast Asian market. The European Union mainly buys mangoes from South America and Asia.

In 2005, world exports of mangoes reached 912,853 metric tons, totaling US $543.10 million (FAOSTAT 2007). Table 2 shows the top ten mango exporting countries. India replaced Mexico as the largest producer of mangoes in 2005. For the 2003 to 2005 period, Mexico and India dominated the export trade with shares of 22.6% and 20.3%, respectively, followed by Brazil (13.2%) and Pakistan (6.9%). Other major exporters include the Netherlands (major re-exporter), Peru, Ecuador, the Philippines, Thailand, and China.

World imports of mangoes increased from 397,623 metric tons in 1996 to 826,584 metric tons in 2005. As the number one importer of mangoes during the 2003 to 2005 period, the United States imported 271,848 metric tons, or approximately one-third of total mango imports (Table 3).

The Netherlands imported 88,300 metric tons of mangoes (10.6%), but most of this is redistributed throughout the European Union. Other major importing redistributors of mangoes are the United Arab Emirates (6.8%) and Saudi Arabia (5.3%), with most of these imports being redistributed within the Middle East. Mango imports to China have been declining due to increased domestic production. For example, China imported 57 metric tons in 2004 and only 19 metric tons in 2005. Other noticeable importers include Bangladesh and the United Kingdom (4.6% each), Germany (4.1%), France (4.1%), and Malaysia (3.6%).

The most popular export mango cultivars continue to be Kent, Tommy Atkins, Haden, and Keitt, which have fruit with a red blush, and are less fibrous, firmer, and more suited for long-distance transportation than other types of cultivars (Sauco 2004). The green cultivars, such as Ataulfo and Amelie, are only now being widely accepted in the international market. Other cultivars gaining popularity in the international market include Alphona, Dudhpeda, Kesar, Sindhu, Pairi, Desi, Chaunsa, Langra, and Katchamita. Most of the newer cultivars are coming from India and Pakistan.

Over the last decade, prices for most mango varieties have decreased about 5% as the fruit becomes more available worldwide, but prices could increase with proper promotional efforts.

There is evidence that the processed mango fruit market is increasing (Sauco 2004). Processed fruit products include mango juice, pickled mangoes, mango chutney, mango pulp, mango paste, mango puree, dried mango fruit, mango slices in brine, and mango flour. India is the main exporter of processed mangoes, followed by Pakistan, Brazil, and Zimbabwe. Major importers include the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

U.S. Mango Production, Imports, and Consumption

Although most of the commercially traded mango varieties have been developed in Florida, the United States is not a major mango producer. U.S. mango production remains fairly stable at just under 3,000 metric tons per annum.

However, the United States is the world's leading importer of fresh mangoes, accounting for 32.7% of the total imports during the 2003 to 2005 period (FAOSTAT 2007). Figure 1 illustrates total mango imports into the United States during this period, with imports increasing from 187,193 metric tons to 298,088 metric tons, or an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. Mango imports were valued at about US $233.1 million in 2006 (USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service 2006).

Figure 1. 

U.S. total imports of mangoes, 1997-2006 (metric tons). Source: USDA/FAS.

Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil supply most of the U.S. imports of mangoes, with Mexico having a 60.8% share in 2006 (Figure 2). Over the past five years, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador have become significant exporters to the United States, competing with Mexico at the start and the end of the season. The United States redistributes very few of its mango imports to other countries, mainly to Canada and the United Kingdom.

Figure 2. 

U.S. total imports of mangoes, by country, 1997-2006 (metric tons). Source: USDA/FAS.

U.S. consumption of mangoes has increased steadily from a per capita level of 0.5 kilograms in 1996 to 1.0 kilogram in 2005 (USDA, Economic Research Service 2006). The growth in U.S. consumption of mangoes is driven by many factors, such as year-round availability, lower prices, consumer preferences, and more disposable income. However, mango consumption in the United States is relatively low when compared to fruits such as bananas (11 kg) and oranges (5 kg).

U.S. prices for mangoes vary widely by cultivar and season, mainly due to the fact that the commodity demand is price inelastic (sensitive to variations in quantities available; a 1% increase in quantity tends to lead to more than a 1% decrease in price). In general, mango prices have been steadily declining over the past decade. Table 4 shows the average CIF (cost, insurance, and freight) prices for mango imports into the United States during the 1998 to 2006 period.

Concluding Remarks

Worldwide mango production occurs in over 90 countries. While only a small proportion of total mango production enters international trade (less than 4%), the volume traded has risen substantially over the last decade. Among the factors responsible for increased mango production, trade, and consumption are lower prices, year-round availability, fewer trade barriers, longer shelf life, and consumer interest. Although not a major mango producer, the United States has developed most of the popular cultivars traded on the international market, and is the largest single-country mango importer.

References

ERS Online. Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/FoodConsumption/FoodAvailSpreadsheets.htm.

FAOSTAT. 2007. FAO Statistics, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy. http://faostat.fao.org/.

USDA Online. Foreign Agricultural Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. http://www.fas.usda.gov/ustrade.

Sauco, V. 2004. Mango production and world market: Current situation and future prospects. Acta Horticulturae 645: 107-116.

Tables

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.

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