Mangoes are one of the fast-growing categories in the retail produce section, and many of them are from Mexico.
The demand is getting more specific lately, opting for fully ripe mangoes, as well as the varieties with fiberless flesh.
“We are seeing a significant increase in demand for both ripe and ready-to-eat and fresh-cut mangos,” said Jessica Bohlman, the Orlando, Fla.-based National Mango Board's communications manager.
Read more: Mexican mangoes kick off strong, despite delays in Texas
One variety that has increased significantly in past years is the honey/ataulfo mango, as well as kents and keitts, which are fiberless, said Gilmar Mello, managing partner of Vineland, N.J.-based Amazon Produce Network.
The company is working hard to provide retailers with this variety, said David Ponce, procurement manager.
“As each day passes, more retailers are asking for more ways to supply them with fiberless. Others are going to more extremes to carry only fiberless. But it's a challenge right now when Peru ends with kents. There are some gaps that are tough to fill only fiberless.
Another change in demand is in the packing.
Amazon typically packs 4-kilogram boxes, but now is also packing 11-kilogram boxes.
And with one retailer, it's packing bagged mangoes, Ponce said.
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“The idea is to offer different count mangoes in the bag, like the same as you see in avocados, clementines and easy peelers, so customers can just pick up a bag: two-piece, three-piece and five-piece bags,” Ponce said.
Also, U.S. retailers want to offer ready-to-eat mangoes.
“That results in a good customer eating experience, which will cause repeat customers,” Ponce said.
“Some retailers want the entire mango program to be ripened.”
Some retailers want to do the ripening themselves, and some want Amazon to handle the ripening process, which takes three to four days in ripening rooms, like they do with bananas, avocados and pears.
“It's a different type of delivering based on timing. It's not an easy process,” Ponce said.
“But overall, it should be beneficial for consumer and the industry.”
Related: The Texas effect on Mexican mangoes