MIAMI, FL - December 28, 2022, proved to be a milestone day as the first container of fresh Colombian mangos arrived on the shores of the United States. Landing at the port of Savannah, Georgia, 20 tons of the fruit will now be transferred to Gulfport, Mississippi, to be distributed throughout the Southeast.

"This is great news for Colombian mango exporters, as this product has been growing significantly in its exports and is now entering a market that offers multiple business opportunities. The international success of the fruit will undoubtedly bring development to different regions of the country and contribute to the construction of Total Peace within our territories," said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the agency part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism, in charge of promoting non-mining exports internationally.

The landmark shipment happened after several years of negotiations between government entities in Colombia and the U.S. According to a release, expectations for the mango sector in Colombia are high, as the U.S. imported $552 million of the fruit in 2021 and has seen a 29 percent growth of fresh mango purchases from 2018–2021.

These mangos were grown at the Varahonda Farm in the municipality of Palmira and were packed at Frutales Las Lajas in Zarzal, in the department of Valle del Cauca. They are being exported by Trópico Produce SAS and imported by Seasons Farm Fresh, an American company.

“We know that mango consumption in the U.S. is very high, and Colombia, besides having many logistical advantages, such as several ports across the territory in the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic, as well as a strategic geographical location close to the U.S., has one additional asset: it can produce mangos all year long,” said Nick Bernal, Chief Executive Officer of Seasons Farm Fresh, sharing how he believes Colombian mangos will start having a competitive role in the market. “We began by importing in this shipment Keitt mangos, but soon, we also expect to bring baby mangos, which could become highly popular amongst the American’s palates.”

The United States now joins Canada, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, and more as importers of Colombian mangos.

Currently, there are approximately 35,000 hectares of mangos in Colombia distributed in 22 departments. Varieties include Hilacha, Tommy, Keitt, Yulima, and baby mango.

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ProColombia