For operators and their customers, March roars in with two mango-related items worthy of their attention. First, two recently released studies point to the positive health outcomes of consuming mangos. Findings in two areas confirm mango consumption is associated with better overall diet quality and intake of nutrients, and snacking on mangos may improve glucose control and reduce inflammation in contrast to other sweet snacks. With mangos consumed widely in global cuisines and 58 percent of Americans reporting snacking at least once a day in 2021, this new research provides added evidence

The first arrivals of Champagne Mangos from Ciruli Bros. have arrived in the United States, said Chris Ciruli, COO of Ciruli Bros. Operating out of Rio Rico, AZ, Ciruli Bros. is a third-generation grower and shipper, specializing in Champagne mangos. “We want the fruit on the tree to be at its peak eating point, and then we start harvesting,” said Ciruli. So, while competitors have been harvesting now for a few weeks, “we don’t try to rush it because of the markets, we wait until we see the right maturity in the fruit and then we go.” Ciruli and the team will go nonstop with Champagne mangos

As low fruit and vegetable consumption continues to contribute to diet-related chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, two new research studies find regular mango consumption may improve diets and help manage key risk factors that contribute to chronic disease. Specifically, these new studies report findings in two areas: 1) mango consumption is associated with better overall diet quality and intake of nutrients that many children and adults lack at optimum levels, and 2) snacking on mangos may improve glucose control and reduce inflammation in contrast to other sweet snacks. With

El Grupo Crespo, which markets mangos in the United States under its Crespo Organic and RCF labels, is offering more choices for U.S. buyers with several consumer-ready packaging options. Nissa Pierson, who handles marketing and promotion for the company, told The Produce News in mid-February that the packaging options are unique in the mango business. Over the last two years, El Grupo Crespo introduced a three-pound, retail-ready net bag in both the Crespo Organic and the conventional RCF labels. While last year was the first full year of this offering, Pierson still considers it to be new as

As Mexico began its 2022 mango season in January with shipments of the yellow-fleshed Ataulfo variety, U.S. importers were greeted with a strong market. That market generally saw mangos trading at an excellent price, nearing double-digits for the standard four-kilogram carton. Veteran industry observers are predicting that the market will remain relatively strong through at least mid-March with promotable volume coming into play around April 1. “It has been an interesting market,” said Ronnie Cohen, a principal at Vision Import Group LLC, based in Wyckoff, NJ. “There were a bunch of dynamics

Freska Produce International has completed the construction of three ripening rooms capable of ripening three loads simultaneously at its Oxnard, CA, facility for use with mangos and avocados. “These Ripening rooms are state-of-the-art and will benefit our end users,” said Jesus (Chuy) Loza of Freska Produce. The rooms completed in January 2022 use Thermal Tech Ripening technology capable of ripening the company's mangos and avocados. “With the request of our retail partners asking for ripening capabilities we went ahead and planned this addition to our facility a couple years ago," said Tom