El Niño has hammered Peru's mango production this season, with one market overview reporting output could be up to 65% lower than in previous years. Exporters like Best Fruits of Peru are working directly with growers and paying premium prices to secure supply, but availability still depends heavily on weather conditions. Prices have already surged, though sales are holding for now because customers understand the shortage and are willing to pay more.
The U.S. is an increasingly important market for Peruvian mangoes, with one exporter expecting to double sales there this season — if they can secure enough fruit. The situation is compounded by rising freight costs, infrastructure issues around the Panama Canal, and strong domestic demand in Brazil competing with export supplies. Peru's Kent variety is preferred over Brazil's Palmer in many key markets, and Mexico's complementary production window means there's limited overlap to fill the gap.
Watch for significant mango price spikes through at least late February, according to importers. Buyers relying on Peruvian supply for the November-December window should be sourcing alternatives now or building price flexibility into their plans.