Introduction to Mango Production in Mexico
Mexico ranks fifth globally as a mango producer and the leading exporter, reaching a historical high of 503,000 tonnes valued at $566 million in 2023. The United States is the primary destination for Mexican mango exports, according to the Servicio de Información Agroalimentaria y Pesquera (SIAP).
The national production totaled 2.3 million tonnes, marking a 5.6% increase from the previous year. Guerrero and Oaxaca, among the top five mango-producing states, contributed 27% of the national output.
Guerrero and Oaxaca: Key Mango-Producing States
Guerrero, with 415,700 tonnes of fresh mango valued at 3.456 billion pesos, ranked second in production. Oaxaca followed with 214,900 tonnes valued at 1.07 billion pesos, placing it fifth.
Guerrero’s total agricultural area was 923.6 square miles, with 27,500 hectares dedicated to mango cultivation (3% of the state’s agricultural land). Oaxaca had 1.4 million hectares, with 19,400 hectares (1%) allocated to mango farming.
Production Practices and Challenges
Mango producers in these states employ semi-technified production systems with irrigation. The coastal region of Guerrero and the Istmo de Tehuantepec in Oaxaca host municipalities with significant mango production, thanks to favorable microclimates and agricultural practices that enable fruit production from January to June, supporting commercialization during low-productivity periods.
Popular mango varieties include Ataulfo, Manila, Tommy Atkins, Kent, Haden, and local cultivars.
However, Guerrero and Oaxaca face challenges such as high poverty rates (second and third highest in Mexico, respectively), labor informality, public safety deficits, and migration. These factors pose obstacles to primary production growth.
Opportunities for Mango Industry Development
The high industrial lag index presents an opportunity to boost the mango industry by enhancing productive infrastructure, diversifying both national and export markets through packaging and orchard certifications, and adopting techniques for fruit industrialization and full utilization.
These efforts will create more jobs, increase population retention, and improve producers’ income.
Role of Fideicomisos Instituidos en Relación con la Agricultura (FIRA)
FIRA supports producers and organizations by transferring technologies that promote productivity and quality through technical training and advice. They also facilitate access to financing schemes for consolidated input purchases, machinery acquisition, and agricultural tools necessary for production.
FIRA aims to promote environmentally friendly farming practices by providing direct support and credit schemes for biofertilizers, solar panels, irrigation systems, drones, and technological platforms to boost productivity while reducing environmental impact and production costs.
FIRA’s Contributions in 2023
By the end of 2023, FIRA Acapulco supported small producers through five financial intermediaries, providing credits worth 17 million pesos in priority strata areas. FIRA Ciudad Ixtepec contributed 70 million pesos through four financial intermediaries, enabling productive projects for orchard establishment and maintenance, packaging and infrastructure development, and agricultural machinery acquisition with technological innovations for productivity enhancement.
Author’s Note
*Larissa Reyes López is a FIRA representative in Acapulco, Gro., and Fabiola Santiago Guerra is a FIRA representative in Ciudad Ixtepec, Oax. “The opinions expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect FIRA’s official stance.”
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why are Guerrero and Oaxaca significant for mango production? A: These states are among Mexico’s top five mango producers, contributing 27% of the national output.
- Q: What challenges does the mango industry in these states face? A: High poverty rates, labor informality, public safety deficits, and migration pose obstacles to production growth.
- Q: How can the mango industry be developed further? A: By enhancing productive infrastructure, diversifying markets through certifications, and adopting industrialization techniques to create more jobs and improve producers’ income.
- Q: What role does FIRA play in supporting mango producers? A: FIRA transfers technologies promoting productivity and quality, facilitates access to financing for inputs and machinery, and encourages environmentally friendly practices.
- Q: How has FIRA contributed to the mango industry in 2023? A: FIRA Acapulco supported small producers with credits worth 17 million pesos, while FIRA Ciudad Ixtepec contributed 70 million pesos for productive projects, including orchard establishment, packaging development, and agricultural machinery acquisition with technological innovations.
