Jamaica will be constructing a hot water treatment facility for mangoes during this financial year to be completed in time for the export of mangoes to the United States in the 2022 season.
This facility, which will be constructed through a public-private sector partnership, follows approval from the United States Department of Agriculture for its construction.
“What this means is that we will no longer have to send our mangoes to the USA to be irradiated. This is a tremendous development and a wonderful opportunity for the exportation of mangoes, said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green.
The Agriculture Minister made the announcement at the Ministry’s Plant Quarantine Produce Inspection Export Complex in Montego Bay, St. James, on April 30 where he witnessed the first shipment of mangoes for the 2021 to the United States (US) of 1,100 boxes of East Indian and St. Julian mangoes, totalling 5,000 kilogrammes.
“We are looking to see tremendous growth in this season. We expect to surpass the exports that we did to the United States last year, and we continue to work with the USDA to ensure that we are keeping up the quality standard,” stated Green.
He further explained that the treatment facility represents new opportunities for Jamaica to significantly increase its mango export to the USA as the treatment of mangoes in Jamaica would lead to a reduction in the logistics cost associated in moving mangoes in the USA.
Since the resumption of mango exports to the US in 2019, some 10,418 boxes totalling 49,298 kilogrammes of East Indian, St. Julian and Trini Graham mangoes have been exported earning Jamaica U$125.791.
Additionally, there has been a 200% increase in the number of approved farmers participating in the programme, moving from 2 to 18, and 9 approved exporters representing a 50% increase over 2020
The agreement with the USA for export of mangoes also provides an opportunity for the export of other fruits such as guava and plums, which were not previously approved to enter the USA under the irradiation programme.
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