The European market potential for mangoes

Over the years, Europe has imported more mangoes. People in Europe prefer the Kent and Keitt types because they do not have fibres. The demand for mangoes that are tree-ripe, ready-to-eat or fresh-cut is on the rise. The main countries in Europe that import fresh mangoes are the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, France and Belgium.

1. Product description: mangoes

The mango tree, Mangifera indica, is native to a wide area stretching from India to the Philippines. The mango is a fleshy stone fruit (a drupe) of the climacteric type. That is to say, it is a fruit that continues to ripen after it is harvested. There are more than a thousand varieties of mangoes around the world. The Harmonised System (HS) code for fresh and dried mangoes is 08 04 50. Mangoes, mangosteen and guavas share the same HS code. Because these latter two are exotic products, mangoes are the main product in the trade statistics.

Fresh mangoes are available as:

• Normal whole fruit;
• Ready-to-eat (ripened at destination);
• Tree-ripened (air-freighted); and
• Freshly cut (consumer packed).

Table 1: Main varieties sold on the European market

Other varieties of mangoes are also present on the European market, but with lower volumes. Without being exhaustive, we can mention the following varieties:

• Amélie, Zill and Smith, produced in west Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea). Amélie is progressively disappearing from the market.
• Haden, produced in Latin America.
• Ataulfo, produced in Mexico and Brazil.
• Irwin, produced in Spain and West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso).
• Alphonso, Chausa and Totapuri and Sindhri, produced in India and Pakistan (especially sold on ethnic markets).
• Nam Doc Mai, produced in Thailand.

Figure 1: Mango varieties Keith, Tommy Atkins and Kent (from left to right)

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

Figure 2: Mango varieties: Palmer/Brazil (1), Kent/Peru (2), Osteen/Spain (3), Tommy Atkins/Brazil (4), Kasturi/Israel (5)

Source: Eryvan Leal Pires (1, 4) and Pierre Gerbaud (2, 3, 5)

2. What makes Europe an interesting market for mangoes?

Mangoes are highly valued tropical fruits among European consumers. The demand for mangoes is steady, and mango imports show consistent growth. Europe is the second-biggest importer of fresh mangoes in the world. Consumption of mangoes in Europe is popular, thanks to promotions set up by major retailers. Many countries export mangoes to the European market. If you want to sell mangoes in Europe, you should expect tough competition.

Trends in the European mango market

Brazil supplies the European market with mangoes all year long. The main varieties it exports include Palmer, Keitt, Tommy Atkins and Kent. While Osteen mangoes are also supplied, they make up only about 1% of Brazil’s total exports. Peru only exports Kent mangoes and is well-known for the high quality of its mangoes. In the past two years, however, Peru’s mango production has declined due to the El Niño phenomenon.

The average price for a tonne of mangoes varies based on import volumes. From 2020 to 2024, there was a consistent rise in mango imports. This caused the average price per tonne to go down. But from 2023 to 2024 the average price went up because Peru’s mango exports decreased due to El Niño. This caused European mango imports to drop by about 7%, from over 483,000 tonnes to under 447,000 tonnes. Even though Brazilian exports increased during that same period, they did not compensate for the shortfall in Peruvian exports.

Mango exports from west Africa face more parasitic challenges compared to those from Latin America. This issue tends to arise towards the end of the growing season, when the rainy season starts in those regions.

There are several varieties of mangoes in the European market, but the Kent variety remains the most popular choice for European consumers because it does not have any fibre. Almost all mango exporters supply Kent mangoes.

Figure 3: European imports of mangoes (EU-27 + UK, incl. mangosteens, guavas) and average cost (in €/tonne CIF), 2020-2024

Source: FRUITROP/Eurostat

Several countries supply the European market with mangoes

Several countries supply the European mango market. Production periods as well as the varieties produced differ from one production zone to another. This allows mango importers to source their fruits from various exporters all year round. The mango market is very competitive because it attracts exporters from different countries.

The European mango market is very dynamic. In 2024, it imported 446,896 tonnes of mangoes. While this figure is impressive, it represents a drop (-7%) compared with 2023. This is due to the sharp drop in exports from Peru (-44%) between 2023 and 2024 because of the El Niño phenomenon.

Brazil is the only country that has Palmer and Tommy Atkins mangoes available all year long, which is why it is present on the market all through the year. Other countries that export mangoes to Europe only do so at certain times of the year, depending on the variety of mangoes they grow.

In 2024, Latin America was the main region to supply Europe with mangoes (64%). Exports from Africa represented 19%, from the Caribbean 5% and from Asia 4%.

Source: FRUITROP/Eurostat

3. Which European countries offer the most opportunities for mangoes?

The European mango market is very active. Six countries stand out for their marketing efforts. The Netherlands, as a ‘hub country’, is the top importer and redistributor of mangoes in Europe. The demand for mangoes is very strong in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Portugal. Spain is the main European country where mangoes are grown. Spain produces one variety (Osteen), which is very popular with buyers.

Source: ITC TradeMap

The Netherlands: your main trade hub for mangoes

The Netherlands is the top hub country in the European market. Dutch importers have a long history of trading mangoes. The country has great logistical systems that make it a key point for many fruit and vegetable imports. These are then sent to their final destinations. In 2024, as in previous years, the Netherlands was the first country to receive mango imports from outside Europe. Brazil and Peru made up 70% of the mangoes imported by the Netherlands.

In 2024, the Netherlands imported about 181,000 tonnes of mangoes. That is more than 40% of all the mangoes imported into Europe. The Netherlands plays a key role in the marketing of mangoes in Europe. The country re-exported almost 156,000 tonnes of the mangoes it imported, which is 86% of the total volume imported. The main countries that received these re-exports were Germany (34%), France (10%) and Belgium (6%).

The Netherlands will continue to be Europe’s top mango entry point. Export opportunities will increase for suppliers who provide high-quality, certified fruit in consistent volumes.

The Netherlands itself offer a medium-large market for mangoes. Mangoes are generally sold by supermarkets and increasingly as convenient freshly cut products (see trends below). But it is because of the challenges in sourcing mangoes and the logistical experience which will allow the Netherlands to maintain its leading role in the import and re-export of mangoes for several years to come.

Source: ITC TradeMap

Germany: your largest destination market for mangoes

In 2024, Germany imported about 96,000 tonnes of mangoes. But it only re-exported around 8,000 tonnes. This shows that there is a strong demand for mangoes within the country. People in Germany like eating mangoes. Hard discount stores like Aldi, Rewe, Lidl and Penny help keep this demand high by organising promotions.

In 2024, Brazil and Peru were the top countries supplying mangoes to Germany. Brazil, which grows several varieties, exported all year long. In all, it exported over 50,000 tonnes to Germany. This represents a little more than 52% of what Germany imported. Peru only exports Kent variety mangoes. It exported a little over 10,000 tonnes, making up about 11% of total mango imports into Germany.

Germany’s demand for mangoes is likely to continue rising, driven by consumers’ interest in exotic fruits and the strong marketing of mangoes by leading retail chains.

Hard discount stores play a key role in the marketing of mangoes in Germany. For this reason, it is important to offer certified products like GLOBALG.A.P., organic or Fairtrade. This is the only way your mangoes can be sold in these hard discount chains. They are very strict about health checks and maximum residue levels (MRLs).

So if you want to export mangoes to Germany, you need to carefully select approved chemicals and strictly respect the MRLs set by European regulations.

Hard discount stores often use mangoes as loss leaders, promoting them during sales. Because these stores are so important, the mango market in Germany is likely to keep growing.

United Kingdom: convenience is dominant

The mango market is dynamic and sustained in the United Kingdom (UK). Ethnic populations, who are fond of mangoes, help to support demand and sales. Mangoes are sold both in supermarkets and in ethnic convenience stores.

In 2024, the UK imported approximately 87,000 tonnes of mangoes. Several countries of origin supplied this market. Brazil is still the most important, as it made up 31% of the mangoes imported in 2024. Other countries like India (8%), Peru (8%), the Dominican Republic (8%) and Pakistan (8%) also contributed to the supply. In 2024, the UK re-exported only 2,000 tonnes of the mangoes it imported. This shows that mango consumption is high in the United Kingdom.

The UK’s demand for mangoes should remain strong, sustained by ethnic communities and mainstream retail growth.

Current developments are mostly focused on diversification such as tree-ripened and premium mango, freshly cut mangoes (see trends below), but also on other added-value products such as frozen mango lollies produced by the company Blue Skies. Another specific market segment is the ethnic mango market: the UK offers an important market for specific mango varieties from Pakistan and India such as the air freighted Alphonso and Kesar mangoes.

France: an interesting market for west African suppliers

The French market presents many advantages for mango exporters. It imports big volumes of mangoes, both by sea and by air. Because the distance to France is shorter for west African countries than for those in Latin America, their costs for shipping are lower. This means that west African exporters can sell their mangoes for less than their competitors in Latin America. One unique aspect of the French market is its particular interest in Kent variety mangoes. This type is very popular with shoppers, and supermarkets often focus their promotions on it. In 2024, France imported around 57,000 tonnes of mangoes.

The main countries supplying this market are Peru (22% market share. Kent mangoes only) and Côte d’Ivoire, (16%). Even though Côte d’Ivoire grows a variety of mango types, it mainly exports Kent. Brazil and Spain follow, with 14% market share each. Israel (9%) also plays an important role in supplying the French market. This Israeli supply, although limited, is available at a time when competing supplies of the varieties that interest French buyers are even more limited.

France re-exports large volumes to other European markets. In 2024, it re-exported around 12,000 tonnes of mangoes, or 21% of its imports.

France should continue to provide great opportunities for mango exporters, especially those from west Africa. Being close by helps to lower transport costs and gives them an edge over suppliers from Latin America.

There are growth perspectives for mangoes from Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso. But as an exporter you must be aware of two strong competitive factors:

1. Peru’s campaign is extending over the years and tends to overlap with that of African countries. This complicates the marketing of minor varieties (Amélie, Smith, Zill, among others). It prevents them from being better valued and forces them to be withdrawn from the market quickly.
2. France has a strong preference for locally produced fruits (see also trends below). This means the mango supply from neighbouring Spain is relatively high and is expected to remain strong, but you can also expect competition from local summer fruits such as French-grown stone fruit.

Spain: one of the fastest-growing markets for mangoes

Spain is one of the fastest-growing importers of mangoes. With both production and exports increasing, Spain is developing itself as a trade hub for mangoes. This means that Latin American suppliers can reach different markets through Spain, in addition to the internal market.

Spain is a unique market in many ways. To start with, it is a top producer in Europe. Also, the Osteen variety is the most popular mango there. Even though growing Osteen mangoes is expensive because of labour costs, they are very sought after when their season starts. In 2024, Spain imported about 76,000 tonnes of mangoes. The main supplier to this market was Brazil (69% market share), followed by Peru (14%). In 2024, Spain re-exported 64% of its imports. This shows that Spain acts as an import hub in Europe for Brazil and Peru. As a hub country, Spain’s exports are destined for many other European countries. Portugal is the main destination, accounting for 43% of re-exported volumes. France is the second largest destination, accounting for 25% of volumes.

Spain is expected to maintain its dual role as both a producer and a major entry hub for mangoes in Europe. While domestic production of Osteen mangoes will remain a strong seasonal feature, imports from Brazil and Peru will continue to dominate the market outside the local harvest window.

Table 2: Spanish estimated production, trade and consumption of mangoes, 2022-2024 (in tonnes)

Source: ITC TradeMap & industry sources

Portugal: the country with the highest consumption per capita

With a little over 10 million inhabitants, Portugal is not a large country. Nevertheless, it has the highest mango consumption per capita. It is an interesting market for those that are competitive with, or additional to, Spanish and Brazilian suppliers.

Portugal imported nearly 46,000 tonnes of mangoes in 2024. 58% of imports came from Spain, followed by Brazil (25%) and the Netherlands (16%). Spain is Portugal’s main supplier, followed by Brazil and re-exports from the Netherlands and Brazil.

Portugal’s mango market is likely to stay connected to Spain’s re-export activities due to the strong ties within the Iberian fruit trade.

It can be challenging to find Portuguese importers who are willing to do business with unknown supply sources. Most of them will be comfortable with the trade they are used to with Spain, Brazil and the Netherlands. Portugal is a mature market for mangoes, so it may be worth exploring more direct trade opportunities, especially between the Spanish and Brazilian seasons.

Source: FRUITROP/ COMTRADE/ EUROSTAT

4. Which trends offer opportunities or pose threats in the European mango market?

The demand for ready-to-eat and freshly sliced mangoes in Europe is growing consistently. The demand for mangoes can change a lot, based on types and suppliers. In the summer, the need for mangoes is not usually as strong (as with all exotic fruits). This is because during summer European buyers prefer to buy seasonal fruits like pears, peaches, apricots and watermelons.

Freshly cut and ripened mangoes attract more consumers

To increase their sales, some importers supply ready-to-eat mangoes to their clients. As mangoes are climacteric fruits, they continue to ripen once they have been harvested. The ripening process is mainly applied to mangoes transported by sea or by road that are harvested unripe. There are two levels of ripening, the ready-to-eat stage (found in supermarkets) and the slightly ripened one sold by wholesalers, such as Rungis (France).

Tree-ripened and ready-to-eat mangoes

Tree-ripened mangoes are used for the airfreight trade. They are more expensive because of transport costs. To improve mango sales supermarkets, do not hesitate to promote ready-to-eat mangoes.

Specialised companies offer fruit ripening as a service, such as the Dutch LBP (Logistic Business Partners), while large fruit suppliers such as Ripenow and Nature’s Pride have implemented their own ripening facilities. The best way to supply ripening companies is to work together closely and optimise the fruit picking time.

Freshly cut mangoes

Freshly sliced and packed mangoes are becoming more popular in the high-end market. Preparing mangoes for customers adds value to the product. Many supermarket chains have set up special facilities to prepare freshly cut mangoes for their shoppers. This helps them to improve sales. Hygiene, safety rules and cold chains are important if you want to supply the European market with freshly cut fruit. Only a limited number of suppliers can offer these products in European markets. African companies, being closer to Europe, can try to tap into this market segment.

A company that successfully entered the market for freshly cut mangoes is the British-Ghanaian fruit company Blue Skies. Their product can be found in supermarkets such as Tesco and in 2019 Blue Skies introduced their fresh-cut range in Carrefour. Besides Ghana and the United Kingdom, the company also has cultivation and processing operations in Brazil, Egypt and South Africa to maintain flexibility and deal with fluctuations.

It is best to first establish European alliances that ensure you have a market for cut mangoes. With the right alliances freshly cut mangoes can provide you with a segment that not everyone is able to enter. In the long term you must anticipate on keeping your product sustainable. This is important because the market more and more requires reducing plastic packaging and air-freighted fruit.

Figure 8: Freshly cut mangoes in a French supermarket (Grand Frais)

Source: Thierry Paqui

Growing preference for sustainable and local in-season fruit

During summer, when seasonal fruits are available in large quantities and at cheap prices, the demand for exotic fruits is less consistent. As a supplier who exports during summer, you must keep in mind that your mango season will be competing with that of seasonal fruits in Europe. Therefore, mango sales could be slower and prices lower.

There is also a concern among European buyers about sustainability. European consumers will then prefer to buy seasonal fruits that have lower transport costs compared to most exotic fruits. This explains why sales of airfreight exotic fruits are lower during summer.

Supermarkets also support this process, and during summer they promote local fruits instead of imported fruits. That is why, for example, the Carrefour Group is initiating a transition to promoting mainly local, seasonal and organic products.

It is not likely that local fruit will affect the popularity of mangoes, but it can definitely have an influence on its consumption. Mango consumption will continue to grow as long as mangoes can compete with local fruit. But you can expect stronger fluctuations in demand, especially in the summer and during the Spanish mango season. As a supplier you must accept being flexible in your pricing as well as your export markets. Since mangoes are not the most stable fruit in trade, it can be difficult to find a buyer that is willing to commit to fixed volumes and prices.

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

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