JAMPRO aiding the push for more mango exports to the US

Two Jamaican agribusiness companies have partnered with international buyer, Seasons Farm Fresh to export more mangoes to the United States (US). 

The two companies are Dawson Trading and Carita Jamaica.

After a successful first shipment on April 30, Dawson Trading and Carita Jamaica have teamed up to make more shipments of mangoes throughout the season. The agribusiness companies plan to export mangoes twice a week.

Rita Hylton, CEO of Carita Limited, highlighted the vast potential for mango exports to America, noting that more growth is needed in the production of the fruit. 

It is estimated that investing in mango orchards can have a 33.7 per cent average return on investments over a 10-year period.

According to Hylton, “the potential value of this business is so huge. It is good to have the hype and excitement for the first shipment, but the market needs the production of good fruit to increase dramatically”. 

The push for more mango exports out of Jamaica is being facilitated by the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

JAMPRO pushing for more mango exports out of Jamaica

JAMPRO President Diane Edwards pointed to the high demand for Jamaican fresh produce, encouraging more local production of the fruit. She declared that JAMPRO is focused on meeting this demand and as such is pushing for more mango exports out of Jamaica.

Edwards said the Government of Jamaica is committed to finding new ways to develop agriculture, not only for export but for local consumption.

“With more public and private partnerships, and increased support to the our farmers and exporters, we believe we will see further expansion in the export of fresh produce and value-added products,” she said.

Last month Jamaica shipped approximately 4,710 kilogrammes of mangoes to the United Kingdom (UK) from the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The mangoes were exported by local fresh food producers Native Nature, Dussard Trading, Tropical Foods, Carita Jamaica Limited, and Wah Gwaan Foods (Yam Man) Jamaica Limited.

The shipment, comprising 320 boxes of Julie and 172 boxes of East Indian mangoes, is the second to the UK this month, following a seven-year absence from the market. On April 1, Wah Gwaan Foods shipped 13 boxes of East Indian and 74 boxes of Julie mangoes, totalling 609 kilogrammes to the UK.