Good mango supplies expected for Cinco de Mayo

Mangoes will be available to promote leading up to Cinco de Mayo, grower-shippers say.

“There will be a good space between the Easter and Cinco de Mayo holidays this year, allowing shippers to harvest and get a lot better production in between,” said Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of Rio Rico, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros. 

“This allows shippers to pull sufficient volume for multiple ads ... Multiple states will be in production at the same time, so we expect ample promotable volume across varieties for Cinco de Mayo.

“When we approach this time of year, we expect slightly smaller sizing in yellow and round fruit,” Ciruli said. “Retailers should be able to run multiple pieces for promotions around the Cinco de Mayo holiday. Weather plays a role on quality, and our hope is that it will be favorable.”

Alex Arcos, chief marketing executive for Nogales, Ariz.-based Palenque Foods, also expects to have good supply of the top mango varieties for the holiday.

“We have a peak stage in Oaxaca during that time of the year; therefore we can rest assured that a considerable amount of volume for these two varieties will be available for us to supply,” Arcos said. “We estimate to export an average of 30 trucks per week throughout May.

“In the southern region of Mexico, mango quality is expected to be at top level throughout May and the first week of June,” Arcos said. 
“When it comes to sizes, Palenque Foods can supply 12s to 22s in ataulfos and 6s to 14s in tommy atkins.”

Luis Cintron, vice president of procurement for Doral, Fla.-based J&C Tropicals, said the company expects big volume leading up to the holiday. 

“The customer should be able to pick exactly what size of fruit they prefer,” Citron said. “Mango supply is expected to be heavy during that time from Mexico. We will give all our retail partners a chance to promote mangoes for Cinco.”

Click here to download a 'Know your mango' graphic from the National Mango Board. 

Michael Warren, president of Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Central American Produce, said mango availability for the holiday will be on par with most years.

“This is a great time to promote,” Warren said. “Fruit size will range with mostly 8-12 on the tommy atkins and 16-22 on the honey mango.”

Related: 
Nogales port continues to see the diversification of commodity crossings
Mission Produce enters the mango category
Mangoes to have a strong spring season