At the height of the Coastal El Niño phenomenon that struck northern Peru in March, in agriculture much focus was placed on hard-hit organic banana growers, as well as logistics issues stemming from flooded roads and ruptured infrastructure.

But more recently, some media outlets have reported the effects of the event will be seen in the next mango crop, especially as a result of damaged irrigation systems.

In conversation with Fresh Fruit Portal, the country's Agricultural Association of Producer Unions (AGAP) president Ricardo Polis sought to allay these concerns, emphasizing the crop was developing normally.

"The rains haven't majorly affected the agri-export industry. Roads and housing have been affected in the country's northern zone, but has the infrastructure of agri-export companies been affected? No," he affirmed.

ProMango president Ángel Gamarra confirmed Polis' comments, claiming the next mango season later this year would be the same as the previous campaign, "with very normal volumes of approximately 130,000-150,000 [metric] tons (MT) for fresh exports.

"The mango fields themselves haven't been affected. The plantations are fine," he said.

He added that while some packhouses were affected, they're actually back to normal now, and the season would be good to start in late October with the first shipments. 

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