Mexico's mango industry suffered a sharp production decline during its latest harvest cycle, with national output down 40% overall and some individual states — particularly Nayarit — seeing losses as high as 70%, according to Daniel Radilla Ríos, president of Mexico's National Mango Product System Committee. Weather extremes including drought, heavy rainfall, and temperature swings disrupted flowering and tree development across the country's 23 mango-producing states. The conditions also intensified pest and disease pressure, particularly fungal issues tied to excess moisture.
Despite the severe volume drop, growers did not necessarily benefit from higher prices. Mangoes that failed to meet export standards flooded domestic and regional markets instead, pushing local prices down and leaving some packing houses temporarily closed. Growers in the hardest-hit areas barely covered production costs, Radilla said. The Ataulfo variety showed more resilience than red varieties like Tommy Atkins, Kent, and Keitt under adverse conditions.
Looking ahead, Radilla noted that the current crop shows more stable flowering and substantial foliage, which could support a volume recovery in the upcoming season — but weather remains the key variable. For buyers relying on Mexican mango programs, this story is consistent with the broader El Niño disruption already reported across key origins, and supply availability heading into the new cycle warrants close monitoring.