Peruvian mango growers are expected to produce some 250,000 metric tons in the 2010-11 season, the same level produced last season, local news site Andina reported.

Quoting estimates from the Peruvian Association of Mango growers and exporters (APEM), the report said the season will start in the second week of October (week 41 aprox.) and last through the last week of March 2011 (week 13).

The estimates come after the APEM toured Mango plantations in principal growing regions. Association officials found a good level of flowering. However the estimates are still preliminary and a revised figure is expected to be released later this month and there are several factors that could still cut production numbers. Moreover the mango harvest tends to work on a two year cycle, with a large crop followed by a smaller yield.

“Taking into account the fact that last season saw growth in production and export volumes, we expect that this year the flowering –therefore the production- will drop. However the cold conditions experienced this winter have changed these expectations,” APEC president Juan Carlos Rivera was quoted as saying.

For export, the ATEM expects some 40% of the national production volume will be sold abroad, principally to the US, Europe as well as newer markets such as China, Japan, Chile and New Zealand.

Last season Peru exported 24 million 4.1KG boxes, or 102,000 metric tons, an increase of 140% compared to 2008-09.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com