The mango season is starting in Malaga, the countrys largest producer of this subtropical fruit. The first to arrive are the Tommy Atkins and greenhouse-grown Osteen, although these productions are not significant. The Osteen, the variety that leads the Spanish mango production, will begin to be harvested between the first and the second week of September, with a weeks delay. The acreage devoted to this variety has increased to the detriment of others like the Keitt or Tommy.

The sector expects a record mango harvest, between 30 and 40% greater than in the previous year. However, there are no fears of prices being affected due to the good positioning of Spanish mangoes in the European markets. According to Esperanza Rodríguez, of the sales department of the producing, importing and exporting company Tropical Millenium, "the increase in volumes may have an influence on prices, but I dont expect them to fall sharply, as has been the case with avocados in previous months."

"Our mangoes always attract customers thanks to their differentiated quality, especially in Europe, as they are harvested when they are optimally ripe, which is possible thanks to our proximity to European markets. The quality is equivalent to that of a mango shipped by plane to Europe, but with more affordable prices. For that reason, if prices become interesting for importers with the increase in the supply, they will undoubtedly switch to Spanish mangoes," she explains.

We must also bear in mind that Israel, which starts earlier than Spain and enjoys an interesting commercial window in Europe, is finishing the harvest earlier due to the decline in its production this year. "That doesnt mean that Spanish growers will have to harvest their mangoes prematurely, as that would harm their good reputation in terms of quality. It is better to wait until the fruit is truly ready and there is also a bit of hunger for mangoes in the market," says the representative of Tropical Millenium. "We plan to start in mid-September with the first Osteen," she added.
 

The avocado market recovers and Spain will have more production
At the beginning of this summer, avocado prices plunged, causing the collapse of the market in Europe, mainly due to an oversupply from Peru and South Africa, which also clashed with other countries. The market is already stabilising and even some shortages are expected in the coming weeks.

"It has been very stressful for all of us, as Europe wasnt been able to absorb so much avocado in such a short time. With such pressure from the supply, it was impossible to carry out product rotations and close sales transactions." The product was in control of the market, and not us, as it ought to be. Some people have compared this avocado crisis with that of 2007, although then the consumption was not as great as it is now," says Esperanza Rodríguez. "This episode is a sign that in the future, avocados will likely become more of a commodity product."

"At the moment, the market is already recovering and Colombia and Mexico are already starting. It is possible that there will be a bit of a production gap until Spain arrives. For now, Spain expects an increase in the production compared to last year. In the years when the mango harvest is large, the avocado harvest follows the same trend. Morocco will also arrive with greater volumes."

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