Mango Production in Mexico

Mango is the sixth most important fruit crop in Mexico in terms of production value. The country is the world’s third-largest producer of mangoes. The fruit is primarily cultivated along the coasts of the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The southernmost state of Chiapas has the highest planted area, while Guerrero leads in mango production and value. Other significant mango-producing states include Sinaloa, Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Michoacán, all located along the Pacific Ocean coast. In 2022, a total of 201,000 hectares were cultivated across 23 out of 32 states, resulting in an annual production of over 2.18 million tons of mangoes. The wide cultivation area allows for year-round availability of the fruit, with the peak harvest season occurring from April to August. The average yield is 10.85 tons per hectare, with the highest yield achieved in the northwestern state of Sonora at 17.25 tons per hectare. The main mango cultivars in Mexico are Ataulfo, Manila, Tommy Atkins, Kent, and Haden. In 2022, domestic mango production was valued at over 674 million U.S. dollars. Approximately 485,395 tons were exported, accounting for 22.5% of the total production and generating 509 million U.S. dollars in revenue. Of these exports, more than 84% were destined for the U.S. market, owing to Mexico’s competitive advantages such as proximity to the largest import market, robust infrastructure, favorable costs, and availability of labor. As the world’s largest exporter, Mexico faces significant risks from pests like the Mexican fruit fly and diseases such as anthracnose, which pose threats to exports. Additionally, better organization for small farmers and the consolidation of their agribusinesses are required. The introduction of new varieties is also essential to maintain competitiveness in the market.