The Dominican Mango Cluster, the Association of Mango Producers of Baní (Abapromango) and the Ministry of Agriculture announced that the traditional Expo Mango 2018 will take place from 27 June to 1 July 2018 at the Baní city central park. This is a time to taste different varieties of mangos and to buy these cheap right from the farmers.
Upon announcing the event, representatives of the organizations said the sector seeks to export US$40 million in mangos in five years time, of which around 80% would be produced in southern Baní farms. Rafael Leger, president of the Mango Cluster said that this goal would be met when nurseries are certified to meet requirements to export to international markets and access is gained to USA markets.
Leger said that during Expo Mango 2018 an event would mark the formal start of the construction of a hydrothermal mango treatment plant that should be in operation by 2019. The president of Abapromango, Andrés Mejía Báez said that with the plant in operation exports to the US would increase. At present, only 10% of Dominican exports are shipped to the United States. Mejía Báez also announced the construction of a US$30 million packaging plant with dual capacity for preparing produce for the US and Europe markets.
Ministry of Agriculture regional director, José Luis Cruz highlighted how the sector has grown. He said exports in 2005 were 300,000 boxes, and that in 2017 4 million boxes were exported. Most Dominican mangos are shipped to Europe (90%). Netherlands, United States and Canada make up the other 10%. The main varieties that are exported are Keith (65%), mingolo (17%, grano de oro (10%) and banilejo (4%).
Speaking at the event, Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez said the government sees Expo Mango as a “responsibility” because of the need to back a product that is gaining in exports.
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Listin Diario
26 June 2018
