Macapul & Don Juan gear up for coveted non-treated organic Keitt mangoes
Calling this Mexican mango season challenging would be an understatement—it’s been more complex than usual and incredibly tough on the production, planning, and packing fronts. Yet, despite these difficulties, Crespo Organic mango shoppers have enjoyed an exceptional year, with access to tasty, high-quality mangoes across multiple varieties at generally fair, though slightly higher, prices. As we enter the final stretch of the season, the Mochis non-treated zone Keitt Mangoes are set to arrive within the next 2 weeks finishing off the season with the same blend of complexity and joy we’ve seen all season long.
I’ll dive right into the current CROP REPORT, which continues to reflect the varietal timing issues we’ve seen since the start of the season—timing that doesn’t align with what’s normal or ideal, timing that we have all learned how to make work.
First, a quick reminder about the dual zones in the Sinaloa region and the arbitrary fruit fly line, where USDA (APHIS) mandates treatment on one side (hot water baths for organic mangoes). This line differentiates the Mochis region from the rest of Sinaloa, or what I often refer to as southern Sinaloa, still one of Mexico’s largest, most advanced, and most important mango-producing areas.
For those of us who grow extensively in the southern Sinaloa, or El Rosario area during the Sinaloa season, mango supplies can often be extended well into the first week of September from this treated southern region. While other organic sellers may transition primarily to the untreated Mochis zone (where prices and fruit size typically increase), we continue selling from both regions. This strategy allows us to offer our signature catering to diverse preferences and lets us maintain lower prices and smaller fruit longer than most, thanks to our foothold in both zones. We can sustain larger mass market programs longer than most because of the dual zone maneuvers.
The Mochis region typically starts its season in August with Kent mangoes and finishes with Keitt mangoes in mid-September and sometimes even into October. Mangoes from this area are generally very large sometimes even gigantic. While organic production volumes are increasing each year, they remain limited compared to southern Sinaloa, making them more expensive. This is despite lower packing costs, since packing houses in Mochis do not require USDA hot water baths, packhouses and process’ are simpler costs are lower.
Our micro-growing region in El Rosario in the treated zone excels in producing smaller Keitt mangoes, which often align perfectly with the larger Mochis Kent mangoes, offering an extended 9/10 count season for many of our customers. As the Kent mangoes season ends in both regions of Sinaloa, the southern Sinaloa Keitt mangoes will bridge the gap to the Mochis Keitts, which are currently surrounded by some controversy regarding their readiness.
There is a lot of conflicting information about the dates and readiness of the Mochis Keitt, which often happens when production and demand don’t align perfectly. Kents are finishing this weekend in the region. Some producers insist that the Mochis Keitts need another 12-14 days to reach proper brix levels, while others argue that if they don’t start picking now, they’ll have to harvest all at once, once it’s ready.
Our southern Sinaloa Keitts, which should last around 2-3 weeks, will sustain us until the fruit is ready, while others may potentially introduce “green” fruit into the market. Once the Mochis Keitts are ready, we will offer dual zone treated/non-treated fruit, providing a greater variety of sizes and prices for our customers.
The good news for the Mochis region is that the drought is expected to yield smaller fruit this season, so in the coming weeks, we anticipate 6-7-8 and even 9 count mangoes from the area. Coupled with the southern Sinaloa 9/10 counts, there should be ample supply for all size preferences.
How long the season will last remains unclear. Once the Mochis Keitt harvest begins, it will be easier to gauge. What we do know is that prices are expected to rise with the Mochis Keitt mangoes, as growers are already pushing for higher prices.
El Grupo Crespo collaborates with two key organic partners in this region: Empaque Macapul and Empaque Don Juan. Both facilities are equipped with advanced cooling and packing technologies, essential for maintaining mango quality in the hot climate. Empaque Macapul has been working with the Crespo family for over 15 years, supplying various mango varieties. Empaque Don Juan, which evolved from high quality vegetable growers to exceptional large-scale mango grower/packers, and also has modern facilities and extensive production capacity.
You can read more about the partnerships and the Mochis region in last year’s blog post Happy Endings, Potent Partnerships
Read more about the Keitt mango HERE
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