Colombia‘s fabled sugar mango has entered its second straight export year into the U.S. since its maiden shipment in May 2023. 

One major exporter is Florida-based Seasons Farm Fresh, now shipping the exotic fruit to North America for the second season. At a critical mango-pricing timing, Selina Wamucii learned a few market expectations from Nicholas Bernal, CEO at Seasons Farm Fresh.

Nicholas is confident that post-El Niño sugar mango supplies from Colombia will gradually recoup price parity. The price will soon reflect that of the base import year, 2023.

“Pricing will be similar to 2023; however, as logistics improve and volumes increase we actually expect pricing to lower slightly and stabilize throughout the season.” He said.

There is also the premise that not all smallholder mangoes can be organic, given aseptic handling at ports and minimal spraying. 

“All of our fruit for the US market is irradiated as a phytosanitary measure to mitigate for fruit fly, so it can not be sold as organic. All of these smaller producers practice sustainable agriculture, but some do use pesticides and fungicides as the warm, tropical climate of coastal Colombia can affect the fruit,” says Nicholas.

Colombia first got the nod to export mangoes to the United States in November 2022. At the time of the decision, the Latin American nation was exporting $2 million to other regions, especially Europe. 

There were around 350,000 metric tons in national production in end 2021, according to the Colombia Embassy in Washington D.C.

Sugar Mango

Popular for its low-brix level of 22, delectable sweetness and juiciness, this tiny mango has gained overwhelming popularity. 

Its major point of appeal is natural cultivation without greenhouse control in the tropical climate of Colombia’s Caribbean shores.

On the flip side, the baby-sized fruit tends to be rather expensive. The low-season value can reach $3.49 per piece. This perhaps owes to the sugar mango’s exclusiveness to tropical Colombia, whose season runs from March through August.

A Note on Seasons Farm Fresh

With its base in south Florida, Seasons Farm Fresh is at the crossroads of trans-continental fresh fruit distribution. The company supplies avocados, jackfruit and lychees from the Sunshine State to the rest of the United States and Canada. It also sources exotic fruits such as sugar mangoes from Colombia and red dragonfruit from Honduras. Besides, the agricultural firm’s geographical sourcing and distribution reach spans 9 nations.