Entering the European market for mangoes

European authorities perform regular random checks on mango imports to ensure that they are safe. These checks usually focus on pests and organisms that need to be quarantined, like fruit flies. If just one package is found to be contaminated, the whole batch has to be destroyed. European consumers appreciate fibreless mangoes, like the Kent variety. The countries that send the most Kent mangoes to Europe by sea are Peru, Brazil and Côte d’Ivoire. If you want to export Kent mangoes to Europe by sea, you are likely to be competing with at least one of these three countries.

1. What requirements and certifications must mangoes meet to be allowed on the European market?

There is no specific European marketing standard for mangoes. However, when importing mangoes you need to follow the general marketing standard (GMS) found in Annex I, Part A of EU Regulation No. 543/2011.

To know what your European partners expect regarding quality, you can look at three documents. The first two are mango standards: one from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) and the other from Codex (CXS 184-1993). The third document is a brochure developed by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It explains the UN/ECE standard with notes and pictures to help understand it better.

It is also a good idea to check out the EU trade assistance platform (My Trade Assistant from Access2Markets). The HS code for fresh mangoes is 080450. You can find more helpful information on the CBI website, under Buyers’ requirements for fresh fruit and vegetables.

What are mandatory requirements?

Pesticide residues and contaminants

Mangoes can be affected by a wide variety of diseases if good agricultural practices are not implemented on your farm. Mangoes can suffer from fungal (anthracnose, mildew) or bacterial (bacteriosis) attacks. Several chemicals are used to treat mango orchards. EU legislation on Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) sets limits for the chemicals authorised on all crops. To find an updated list of all the pesticides that you are authorised to use on mangoes, please check the EU database for pesticide residues. Select the crop in the ‘Product box’ and the database will list all the pesticides authorised on that crop as well as their MRLs.

Note that buyers in several EU Member States, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, use even lower maximum residue levels than those established by European legislation.

• Use integrated pest management (IPM) in production to reduce the use of pesticides. IPM is an agricultural pest-control strategy that includes growing practices and chemical management.
• Read more about MRLs on the website of the European Commission. Check with your buyers if they require additional requirements on MRLs and pesticide use.
• Make sure that lead contamination in your mangoes remains below 0.10 mg/kg and cadmium below 0.050 mg/kg, according to the maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.

Microbiological criteria for fresh-cut mango

The risk of microbiological contamination increases when mangoes are being processed. For fresh pre-cut fruit (ready-to-eat), the following microbiological criteria apply:

• E.coli contamination must be below 100 cfu/g during the manufacturing process. Having two out of five samples up to the 1,000 cfu/g limit is still acceptable.
• Salmonella in cut fruit must be absent throughout their shelf life, in at least five 25 g samples.

Phytosanitary regulation for fruit flies in mangoes

Fruit flies (Tephritidae) affect the mango trade significantly. This is a very important issue for mango producers, as major markets will not import fruit fly-infested products into their territories. In order to import mangoes into Europe, a phytosanitary certificate is required, as specified in the Annex XI Parts A and B of Regulation (EU) 2019/2072. Hydrothermal treatments, also called hot water treatments, are one of the most effective ways to prevent the development of fruit flies. Mango exports to the US must be hot water treated. This does not yet apply yet in the case of mango exports to the European Union.

The European Directive (EU) 2019/523 requires phytosanitary certificates for mangoes to include one of the following statements, which must be communicated by the national plant protection organisation in the country of origin in advance:

1. The fruits originate in a country recognised as free from Tephritidae (non-European);
2. The fruits originate in an area established by the national plant protection organisation in the country of origin as being free from Tephritidae (non-European);
3. No signs of Tephritidae (non-European) have been observed at the place of production and in its immediate surrounding since the beginning of the last complete cycle of vegetation (this includes official inspections at least monthly during the three months prior to harvesting and on the harvested fruit). Information on traceability must be indicated on the certificates;
4. The product has been subjected to an effective treatment to ensure freedom from Tephritidae (non-European). The treatment data should be indicated on the certificates.

This requirement puts more pressure on plant health authorities. Authorities in producing countries have to be able to declare a region pest free or check on specific areas and product treatments. If local authorities are not sufficiently equipped for this phytosanitary control, it will affect your potential to export fresh mangoes to Europe.

Quality standard

Information on quality, size, packaging and labelling requirements for mangoes can be found in:

• The UNECE standards for mangoes.
• The Codex Alimentarius Standard for mangoes (‘Food code’ of WHO and FAO).

At the very least, mangoes should comply with the general quality requirements (see Table 1). At minimum, Europe almost exclusively requires Class I mangoes. Mangoes in this class must be of good quality and within the permissible tolerance levels. In no case may the defects affect the fruit flesh, the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the packaging.

Table 1: Quality requirements and permissible tolerances for fresh Class I mangoes

Figure 1: Mango with quality ‘Extra’ Class, Class I and Class II (from left to right)

Source: OECD (2012), Mangoes, International Standards for Fruit and Vegetables, OECD Publishing, Paris 

Size and packaging

Fresh mangoes are classified according to Size Codes A, B, C and D. Size is determined by the weight of the fruit or by count.

Table 2: Size codes for mangoes

Source: UNECE standards for mangoes

The common mango varieties are mostly traded in packing size 7 or 8, meaning 7 to 8 mangoes per 4 kg box, which is the preferred size in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France. In Germany, size 6/7 is also common, since large mangoes are popular. In Scandinavia mostly smaller sizes are sold individually. Spain is more flexible with sizes and can handle both large and small sizes. Mango seasons always start with smaller fruit, but prices generally adjust when mangoes reach size 9.

Packaging requirements vary among customers and market segments. They must at least be packed in new, clean and quality packaging to prevent damage and protect the product properly. Common packaging for mangoes includes 4 kg cardboard boxes.

Additional protection to extend shelf life

To protect the fruit, coatings can be used, such as beeswax (white or yellow), carnauba wax, shellac or microcrystalline wax. When supplying organic mangoes, the coating should be organic as well, such as organic beeswax or carnauba wax. There is also research being done with other natural coatings, such as tests with natural coatings of cassava starch and citric pectin by the National University of Colombia. 

There are several developments in protecting the shelf life of mangoes. As a supplier, you should follow these developments. For example, new innovations include Apeel, a plant-based protection that keeps moisture in the fruit and slows down the influence of oxygen and spoiling rate. The technology was recently adopted for the mangoes of Nature’s Pride in the Netherlands. Another solution is offered by Hazel Technologies, which uses 1-MCP technology to reduce the respiration rate and increase resistance to ethylene. This technology was adopted by the Peruvian mango exporters Fundo Los Paltos and FLP of Peru SAC.

Note that there is a European MRL for 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) of 0.01mg/kg, although it is difficult to detect as a residue. However, the use of 1-MCP can be detected by a recently developed test.

What additional requirements and certifications do buyers often have?

Variety

European shoppers like mangoes that have little to no fibre. Out of all the types sold in Europe, the Kent mango is the favourite. Peru is often seen as the benchmark for Kent mangoes because its supplies are abundant and its quality is consistent. Importers in Europe always want to keep Kent mangoes available. To make sure they have enough, they are willing to buy them from different countries depending on their growing seasons. The season for Kent mangoes transported by sea starts with Brazil, between September and January. After that, Peru’s season is from mid-October to mid-May. Kent mangoes from West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal) are available from April until the beginning of September.

The Palmer variety is almost fibreless and often replaces orchards with the less popular Tommy Atkins, especially in Brazil. These mangoes are very common in Brazil and grow in areas where the cultivation of Kent and Keitt is more complicated. Tommy Atkins is still commercialised in Europe, but at a fast-decreasing pace due to the fibrous flesh.

As long as the market for mangoes depend on different climate zones, Palmer and other varieties can coexist with Kent and Keitt. Specialist mango buyers and ethnic wholesalers only require the most exotic varieties.

Maturity

Mangoes should be harvested while there is still time for them to ripen. The colour and feel can change according to the type, but all the mangoes in a batch should look and feel similar.

Also, buyers usually have their own preferences when it comes to how ripe the mangoes are and when they want them delivered to their customers. For this reason, it is important to agree with your buyer on details like ripeness and sugar content (Brix level) in order to avoid problems on arrival.

Certification

Common certifications for mangoes include GLOBALG.A.P. for good agricultural practices and BRCGS, IFS or similar HACCP-based food safety management systems for packing and processing facilities. Management systems recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) are most recommended.

Sustainability and social compliance

Mango cultivation often involves small growers. For fruit collectors and exporters, it is important to show that they are engaged in the well-being of their production sources, both socially and environmentally. This is a growing concern for many buyers and retailers. The best way to do this is through adapting social and environmental standards, such as Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) and GLOBALG.A.P..

In the near future you can expect new environmental and social initiatives, with standards that become more extensive and with regular audits. For example, the Sustainable Trade Initiative for Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV), a private covenant between European importers and retailers, has formulated new goals towards 2025 that include a fair living wage and the reduction of the carbon footprint.

Retail chains sometimes have their own standards, such as Tesco and the Tesco Nurture programme, an add-on module to GLOBALG.A.P..

The Green Deal

One of the key laws to help Europe become climate-neutral is found in the European Green Deal (EGD). The EGD includes several policies that are designed to help Europe achieve climate neutrality by the year 2050. Climate neutrality means that the amount of greenhouse gases released is equal to the amount removed, which should help keep global warming in check. This situation is called ‘zero emissions’ and is achieved if global warming stays below 1.5°C.

Here are the most important impacts of the EGD for mango suppliers:

• Encouraging organic farming (and consumption) – One goal of the Farm to Fork Strategy is to boost the amount of organic farmland in Europe to 25% by the year 2030.
• Introduction of the environmental footprint method – To support sustainable food systems, the European Commission is going to release official ways to make green claims. This is to stop greenwashing and to help consumers better understand the food choices they make.
• Supporting higher standards for corporate responsibility and sustainability – These are set out in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
• Cutting down on packaging waste – The primary goal of the Packaging Waste Directive is that "all packaging in the EU should be reusable or recyclable in a way that makes economic sense by 2030". Some nations are trying to cut down on plastic even quicker than suggested in the EGD. For instance, France has already put a stop to plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables that weigh less than 1.5 kg.
• Cutting pesticide use by half by 2030 – A proposal for the Directive on Sustainable Use of Pesticides has been adopted.

What are the requirements for niche markets?

Quality for special varieties and tree-ripened mangoes

Special mango varieties such as Nam Dok Mai and Alphonso as well as common varieties that are tree ripened and airfreighted are sold in a high market segment. It is crucial for your buyer to receive a perfect product. To achieve this, you must have a perfect timing for fruit picking, reduce post-harvest transit times, maintain a perfect cold chain and excellent quality control, and pay extra attention to packaging.

Organic

Organic certification for mangoes is required by a small, but growing niche market. Organic mangoes are mostly traded by specialised organic fruit importers, such as ProNatura (France), Biotropic (Germany), Eosta and OTC Organics (Netherlands).

To market organic products in Europe, you must use organic production methods according to European legislation and apply for an organic certificate with an accredited certifier.

The import of organic products is governed by Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Keep in mind that this regulation has been tightened up, so the rules for these products are now tougher than before. Organic labelled products are subject to frequent random controls. Control authorities must have access to the traceability data for all the growing processes. So you must give your European partner all the documents that prove that your products are organic.

A new technology for labelling organic mangoes is laser, which avoids the use of plastic packaging and stickers to mark organic mangoes. This is for example implemented in the Spar supermarkets in Austria.

2. Through which channels can you get mangoes on the European market?

Most of the mangoes supplied to Europe are transported by sea, but there is also some transport by air. The mango is a climacteric fruit, which means that it continues to ripen after being picked. Mangoes transported by sea are harvested unripe, to allow them to withstand the duration of transport. Supermarkets often offer ripened ready-to-eat fruits, which are very popular with consumers. Mangoes transported by air are picked at a later stage of maturity. They arrive riper than fruit transported by sea. They are most often sold in specialised stores. Mangoes that are not mainstream can also be found in ethnic stores.

How is the end market segmented?

Main segment

The main segment for mangoes are Class I mangoes and common varieties such as Kent and Keitt, either conventional or ripened in the destination country. Class II mangoes are not common, but odd sizes or mangoes that fail to meet the usual specifications are sold for any acceptable price. See also the buyer requirements above.

High segment: Tree-ripened, fresh cut and organic

Mangoes that ripen on the tree are imported by air and sold at higher prices. Since air transport is expensive, these mangoes must be of the best quality in order to be sold in the higher segment. They can be found in specialised stores or large retailers like Grand Frais in France. Usually, air-freighted mangoes arrive before those shipped by boat. So their arrival marks the beginning of the mango season. Demand for air-freighted mangoes is high the start and end of the season, because sea shipments are either not available or very limited.

Demand for organic or freshly cut mangoes is increasing. These items are also sold in the premium market. Fresh mangoes are available year-round in European supermarkets. They come with a high price tag due to their processing and packaging costs. These freshly cut mangoes target wealthier customers who prefer convenient, high-quality ready-to-eat foods. The organic mango supply remains confidential, which justifies its good valuation.

Top segment

In the top segment, you can find exotic, tree-ripened varieties for luxury and specific ethnic markets. They are valued for their superior taste and sweetness, but their total volumes are very small compared to the common mango trade. The niche demand and the air-freight costs are what makes these mangoes expensive for consumers. They are generally sold by specialist and ethnic retailers or used in the food service industry.

Figure 2: Market segments for mangoes in Europe

Source: ICI Business

Through which channels do mangoes reach the end-market?

Importers and service providers

Importers play a central role in the distribution of mangoes. They are familiar with all the different requirements of end clients and are able to distribute to different markets.

Some importers have ripening and packing facilities, which are important for the growing segment of ready-to-eat mangoes and for supplying to supermarkets. This is how mango importers such as Nature’s Pride and TFC Holland become full-service providers to supermarkets.

Supermarket programmes

Most mangoes are sold through supermarkets, which become increasingly involved in sourcing. This is relatively easy when mangoes are sourced from Spain. For example, German supermarket Rewe established Eurogroup in Spain to oversee production and sourcing.

However, overseas mango imports during the rest of the season are often complicated. Fluctuations in price, volumes and quality continue to provide opportunities for independent traders. Supply contracts for mango are often combined with purchases on the spot market.

Wholesalers (spot market)

Traditional fruit wholesalers cover the spot market, moving according to trade fluctuations. They supply to specialised shops, street merchants, restaurants and hotel chains. Sometimes these companies combine import and wholesale activities, but a traditional wholesaler does not take many risks with importing long-distance mangoes – with the exception of ethnic mango varieties which are flown in. Typical wholesale markets include Rungis in Paris and Mercabarna in Barcelona. 

Large fruit wholesalers such as Staay Food Group maintain a large international network and offer their own cash & carry service points, where clients can purchase a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.

Non-specialised (cash & carry) wholesalers such as Metro supply to the same end markets but depend more on the service of importing companies. They are also able to work with long-term contracts, just like supermarkets.

Figure 3: Market channels for mangoes

Source: ICI Business

What is the most interesting channel for you?

Joining a retail programme offers the highest security, and often better profit margins as well. However, the requirements are strict and there is little room for negotiation.

The most common way to join a retail programme is by collaborating with a service provider that has local facilities and agreements with retailers. Selling directly to supermarkets is much harder, because they prefer not to handle quality issues with individual exporters. It is simpler for them to work with service providers.

Since mangoes are hard to source, there are various trading options apart from direct retail. Trading companies that serve the spot market are the easiest to reach. In a favourable market, they can yield very good returns. However, there are no guarantees. Spot market prices can vary significantly, increasing the risk for exporters. It is advisable to seek out a mango specialist with experience and a broad network in the industry, like the Dutch-German company Hars & Hagebauer.

3. What competition do you face on the European mango market?

Brazil and Peru are the main suppliers of mangoes to the European market. Brazil exports a wide range of varieties, like Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Keitt and Kent. Brazilian mangoes are available on the European market throughout the year. Mango supplies also come from West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire), the Caribbean (Dominican Republic), the Middle East (Israel) and Europe (Spain).

Which countries are you competing with?

Source: FRUITROP/Eurostat

Brazil: available all year round thanks to four varieties

Brazil’s mango production is spread across the country. The alternation of seasons and varieties allows Brazil to export mangoes throughout the year. 

In 2024, Brazil exported over 206,000 tonnes of mangoes to the European market. These exports represented 46% of European mango imports, making Brazil the leading supplier to the European market. Brazil exports five varieties of mango: Tommy Atkins, Palmer, Keitt, Kent and Osteen. In the past three years, Brazil’s mango exports have been growing steadily. They have gone from 172,000 tonnes in 2022 to over 206,000 tonnes in 2024, which is an increase of nearly 20%.

In recent years, Brazil has made changes to its production. Palmer mangoes are now the biggest part of its mango exports to Europe, but ten years ago Tommy Atkins mangoes were the most popular. Even though Tommy mangoes have bright colours, people in Europe have slowly stopped buying them because their flesh contains a lot of fibre. 

Peru: the main supplier of Kent to the European market despite a significant drop of exports

Even though there was a big decrease in its exports (down by more than 50% from 2022 to 2024), Peru is still the second-biggest supplier of mangoes to Europe and the top exporter of Kent mangoes. Peru grows many types of mango (like Edwards, Ataulfo, Haden, Keitt and Kent), but it is mostly known for its Kent mangoes. The season for Kent mangoes imported by sea from Peru runs from November to April. Air exports start in mid-October and run until the end of May. The quality of Kent mangoes from Peru is highly appreciated. Mangoes from other countries of origin are often more difficult to sell if Peruvian produce is available.

In 2024, Peruvian exports were strongly affected by the El Niño phenomenon. Mango exports barely reached 67,000 tonnes (compared with 138,000 tonnes in 2022). This drop in Peru’s supply allowed African countries of origin, which are its direct competitors, to somewhat make up for the lack of fruit.

Côte d’Ivoire, the leading West African source

Côte d’Ivoire is the third-largest supplier of mangoes to the European market. Its exports begin with early varieties (Amélie, Valencia Pride, Zill, Smith), transported by air. They precede the start of its Kent mango season, which runs from April to May.

In 2024, Côte d’Ivoire exported around 40,000 mangoes to Europe. This represents an increase (+ 28%) over its 2022 level. The arrival of the first mangoes from Côte d’Ivoire marks the start of the selling season from West Africa (where the other suppliers are Mali, Burkina Faso and Senegal). The proximity of the African continent to Europe represents an opportunity for its mango exporters. It allows them to let the fruits ripen on trees longer before picking them, which improves the taste of the fruit.

West African sources face significant parasitic pressure, however. Rainy seasons contribute to the spread of fruit flies. We recommend that mango exporters carry out frequent trapping tests during the season, to find out when the presence of fruit flies in their orchards starts to increase. This allows them to determine when they need to stop their exports by sea. 

Dominican Republic: a good supplier of Keitt

The Dominican Republic is a constant supplier to the European market. Its campaign starts with Mingolo mangoes shipped by air, but these volumes are limited. The Dominican Republic mainly exports Keitt mangoes by sea. This campaign lasts six months from April to September. 

In 2024, the Dominican Republic exported just over 20,000 tons of mangoes to Europe. This volume represents an increase of around 15% over 2022. Keitt mangoes are very popular with European buyers, especially when supply of the Kent variety is low.

The Dominican cultivation of mango continues to increase. But the summer is a difficult period to supply mangoes to Europe because there are many origin countries involved. On the other hand, when the global demand is high, Europe has to compete with purchasers in the United States too. 

Interesting developments: Mexico, India, Pakistan and West Africa

Mexico is the top exporter of mangoes in the world. Most of Mexico’s mango exports go to North America, which includes the United States and Canada. Exports to Europe are very small and are mostly sent by air. Mexico’s mango season for Europe runs from May to August, while the North American season is from February to October. In 2024, Mexico exported over 6,000 tons of mangoes to Europe.

India and Pakistan grow many different types of mango. They export the Alphonso, Chausa, Kesar, Totapuri and Anwar varieties to Europe, mainly for the ethnic market. In 2024, India and Pakistan each exported more than 9,000 tons of mangoes to Europe. For India this was a 155% increase over 2022, and for Pakistan +48%. Both countries have to deal with fruit fly issues, which led to some restrictions on Indian mango exports to Europe in 2019.

West Africa is attracting many European buyers. They find this area a good place to source mangoes because it is close to Europe. Besides Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, other West African countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana are also growing in terms of export volume. However, they sometimes have quality issues or problems with pest control.

Figure 5: Indicative supply calendar for mangoes

Source: Pierre Gerbaud. Compiled by Thierry Paqui

Which companies are you competing with? 

The European mango market receives its supply from various kinds of exporter. These can be large companies, small producers working together as co-operatives or individual businesses (small to medium-sized). Some importers act as agents who gather products and then sell them on to their clients. No matter what type of mango you are exporting, you need to provide high-quality products. Only then can you expect to do well in such a competitive mango market.

Agrodan – Brazil

Agrodan is one of the main mango suppliers from Brazil. They produce mangoes on 1,000 hectares and their export is fully prepared to enter several supermarkets in Europe. Besides GLOBALG.A.P., which is a necessity, they adopted the specific retail standards of Marks & Spencer’s Field to Fork, Tesco Nurture and Albert Heijn protocols. By working according to these standards, they are perceived as a serious and well organised supplier.

The mango cultivation of Agrodan’s is concentrated in one region in the north of Brazil. This means that in spite of being a large supplier, they depend on the yields and the climate of a single region.

Dominius – Peru

Dominus works with a group of 30 farmers with a total of 500 hectares growing mangoes and avocados. Having the Fair for Life label on their mangoes, they have an added value in the European market, being recognised for their social responsibility and their efforts for local communities in Peru.

Their client, Nature’s Pride in the Netherlands, appreciates the social focus of the company and has been buying their mangoes since 2007. However, it will be a challenge for Dominus to keep up with the fast developments taking place in Peru, where other producing exporters are rapidly increasing standards and production volumes.

Domaine Nembel – Côte d’Ivoire

Nembel is one of the leading brands exported from Côte d’Ivoire. Its orchards mainly grow Kent, Keitt and Zill mangoes. Its production is roughly around 10,000 tonnes per year. The Nembel brand can be found in France, the Netherlands and Switzerland, which are its main target markets. The brand can also be found in other European countries, where it is re-exported. The company supplies the domestic as well as neighbouring markets. 

Les Saveurs du Sud – Senegal

It is difficult for small farmers to reach international markets. Senegal’s Copex-Sud cooperative, which has 3,500 producing members, managed to get investors and support organisations on board such as Oiko Credit and CBI. By setting up the commercial company Les Saveurs du Sud and a processing plant for mangoes, they were able to secure export markets in Europe.

TROPS - Spain

TROPS is one of the Spanish brands well-known for its tree-ripened quality mangoes. The brand markets a wide variety of mangoes (Tommy Atkins, Irwin, Osteen, Kent, Palmer and Keitt). Like several Spanish mango producers, TROPS is also involved in the avocado trade.

Which products are you competing with?

Competition between varieties

European consumers prefer fibreless mangoes. The demand for Kent mangoes is very high, and they have become the benchmark for good-quality fruit. When there are not enough Kent mangoes on the market, people start looking for other types that have less fibre, like Keitt and Palmer. Customers also like mangoes that are bright and colourful, such as Osteen, Shelly and Omer. All of these fibreless or colourful mangoes are available in the high-end market.

Competition with local summer fruit

During summer, when many fruits are in-season and often low-priced, sales for exotic fruits like mangoes are more difficult. Consumers in southern European countries that produce a lot of seasonal fruits (France, Italy, Portugal and Spain) return to these fruits as they become more available. Mango imports continue during the summer months but with less consistent volumes.

4. What are the prices for mangoes on the European market?

Price development

Several things can change prices during a season. The huge amounts of produce from Brazil and Peru at certain times of the year, or not enough buyers, can really affect sales. Sales and demand are also being influenced more and more by shipping issues, such as delayed ships. And you need to consider the local social and political situation. In past years, social and political movements in Peru have sometimes affected its exports.

However, some market patterns seem to repeat themselves. At the start of the year, the market for mangoes is usually good. But when the first seasonal fruits appear in spring, and their supply keeps growing, demands shifts and people start wanting less exotic fruit. In the autumn, many different types of mangoes are available – but not so many as to overwhelm the market. The market then strengthens until December, when it hits a key point because of the combined pressure from Brazilian and Peruvian supplies.

Figure 6: Average sales prices (import level) for sea-freighted Kent mangoes (all suppliers combined) in France in 2024, per week (in €/kg)

Source: Thierry Paqui

Prices per channel

Several factors can influence the selling price of mangoes at the import stage. Those prices fluctuate depending on the origin of the fruit, the volumes available or the level of demand for mangoes. Kent mangoes are the most popular and are available almost all year round. Usually, the selling price of this variety at the importer stage is between €3 and €8 per box. In 2024, the European market had to face a sharp drop in exports of Kent mangoes from Peru. The price of mangoes at the import stage fluctuated between €3 and as much as €15, depending on the volume of fruit put on sale.

Wholesale prices for ripe mangoes shipped by air are much higher due to the cost of transport. The market for air-freighted fruit is smaller and is only established in a few countries, most notably France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

In retail, mangoes usually sell for between €1.50 and €2. Fresh cut mango is available in European supermarkets for approximately €2 up to 200g or €10-12 per kilogram. Airfreighted whole mango sells for a little under €5 per piece.

Source: ICI Business

Table 3: Importer spot prices in € per 4 kg box for Kent mangoes on the French market

Source: Pierre Gerbaud/Thierry Paqui

Thierry Paqui carried out this study in partnership with ICI Business on behalf of CBI.

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