Suppliers see increase in organic mangoes

Organic produce sales continue to grow, and the mango category is no exception.

More than one-third of consumers said they bought organic mangoes at least some of the time, and 16% said they always bought organic mangoes, according The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2022.

Oxnard, Calif.-based Freska Produce International LLC has offered organic mangoes for seven or eight years, said Gary Clevenger, managing member and co-founder.

“I’ve seen tremendous growth from year to year,” he said.

At one time, organics accounted for only 4% or 5% of Freska’s mango deal, he said.

Now it’s 30% to 40%.

“It’s something that has become a lot more desired at the retail level,” Clevenger said.

He said he expected the popularity of organic mangoes to expand even further, in part because the price difference between organic mangoes and conventional mangoes is not as significant as it is for other commodities.

Mangoes are grown dry climates where there’s not a lot of rain, so there’s no need to use fungicides, he said.

“Overall, it’s probably easier to grow an organic mango than it is to grow an organic avocado or something of that nature.”

Related: Organic fruit sales continue at brisk pace

More retailers want organic mangoes every year, said Matt Matalucci, director of sales for Vineland, N.J.-based Amazon Produce Network.

“That is definitely a growing part of our business,” he said.

Organics accounted for just a small percent of the firm’s business five years ago, he said. Now that figure is as high as 10% and increases every year.

Size and quality of organic mangoes are similar to conventional product, and organic versions of all the mango varieties are available, he said.

Central American Produce Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla., brings in organic mangoes for customers who are looking for them, said owner/president Michael Warren.

All varieties are available in organic versions, he said, but different growing areas put more of a push on organics than others.

“Organic is important for a subculture of people,” he said, but there is not always enough demand for the available supplies.

Organic mangoes are not a focus at Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros. LLC, said partner Chris Ciruli.

The company tried handling organic fruit in the past, “but the volume wasn’t there,” he said.

Most distributors who handle organic mangoes offer a full line of organic products, he said.

Still, Ciruli Bros. uses as few pesticides as possible and has implemented best practice to ensure the best yields, he said.

River Edge, N.J.-based Vision Import Group “dabbles in organic mangoes” but does not have an organic program out of Mexico, said principle Ronnie Cohen.

The company consolidates loads for a few customers.

“There are definitely more inquiries about it,” he said, and it’s a growing category. But he also said, “There’s a threshold of consumption.”

That means the market share for organic products is limited.

“If you overproduce, at some times during the season, there are more organic mangoes than there are outlets for it,” Cohen said. “We wind up having to sell organic mangoes at the same price as conventional.”

Mango growers are starting to understand mangoes a lot more, Clevenger said.

It takes years just to be organically certified, and growers have to follow specific protocols and get audited at field level.

Once growers obtain their organic certification, they have to continually be audited.
“Growers, as time goes on, have learned different techniques to grow organically and produce higher volume,” he said.

But he added that, “One of the main reasons for not being organic is that you can probably grow a little bit more conventionally.”

Some retailers request that organic mangoes be packed in consumer bags so that they won’t be rung up as conventional at checkout, Matalucci said.

“They wanted an organic program, and they thought that would be the best way to differentiate the two,” he said.

There now is more interest in organic mangoes than there is conventional mangoes, Matalucci said, and he thinks organic mango sales will continue to increase.

“Shopping habits are changing,” he said. “You’ve got to change with them.”