Producers Predict Good Mango Season

Written on 13 Feb 12 at 2:29 pm by Murry Page
www.mazmessenger.com

After a frost in 2011 damaged many mango trees, producers are now saying they expect a better than average crop this season. Jesus Antonio Valdez Valenzuela, district chief for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA), said that a good year would result in about 150,000 tons of mangos. However, the production this year may be as high as 180,000 tons. Valdez Valenzuela noted that about 30% of the production is exported to the United States and Europe. He said they hoped that this year they would export more than the 55,000 tons exported last year.

In El Rosario Fransico Silva, president of the Farmers Association of Baluarte River, said the lower temperatures have helped the blooming trees. He noted that the town of El Rosario had 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) under cultivation of various types of mangos. Fransico Silva said that he hoped that El Rosario would produce 70 to 80 tons of mangos this year compared to the 50 tons produced last year. The mango season begins in May.