Mango Exports

JMB S.A. is one of the largest exporters of the Madame Francis mango, Haiti's second largest export crop.

Mangos are produced in different regions of the island, thanks to its diversity of microclimates. Haiti is able to produce mangos almost all year round. Over 140 varieties of mangos have been identified, but the Madame Francis is the only one currently being exported fresh.

The volume of exports has continued to increase since the 1970's, but even with increased exports it is estimated that at the present Haiti is only exporting 20% of its potential output. Mangos are well appreciated throughout the island, so there is also a high demand on the local market.

JMB S.A. exports on an average 450,000 boxes of 10 lb. a year, and plans to establish its own orchards in the near future to meet the growing demand. The export of the Madame Francique mango is one of the major success stories of agriculture in Haiti.

Organic mangos are now available from JMB. more>>

Since 2005, three small farmer associations and JMB S.A are certified by internationally recognized organic certification agencies as producers of wild harvest organic mangos. More>>

Haiti's mango exports continue to increase

Since 1984, Haitian mango exports to the US have generally been rising.

The figures, based on USDA statistics, show the number of boxes (averaging 10 lb.) exported annually.

mango production periods and zones

Production Periods:

Due to regional climatic conditions in Haiti, the Mme Francique mango is exported during 10 months of the year. That is 3 or 4 months longer than most mango-producing countries.

Geographically, the production periods are as follows:

Leogane: October - December
The Plaine de Cul de Sac: November - February
Arcahaie and Cabaret: January - March
Artibonite: April - June
Central Plateau: May - June
Gros Morne - Port-de-Paix: June - September

New Production Areas:

Newly developed production areas such as Les Cayes and Jacmel are providing excellent quality mangos. It is estimated that these areas will produce an average of 100,000 boxes a year within the next two years.

Careful selection and transportation of the fruit

Collecting and transporting the fruits:

Although only a small percentage of the Mme Francis mango trees are planted in orchards, the exporters have developed a successful collection and transportation systems. The Francis major is one of the major success stories of agriculture in Haiti.

Working to maintain quality and reduce losses in handling and transportation

JMB is working with farmers, providing training on picking and handling techniques designed to reduce fruit losses in the field. Thanks to the work done by local NGOs, such as ORE, local farmers have increased their revenues by 30% simply by improving their post-harvest techniques. (Agriculture is the main source of income for 67% of Haitians).

Preparing the mangos for shipping

Hot water treatment:

This new method of treating mangos was developed in Haiti as a joint effort involving a consortium of all the mango exporters, the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture and specialists from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Haiti was the first country to be approved by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for hot water treatment, and JMB S.A. was the first plant in the hemisphere to receive USDA approval.

Mangos packed for export:

JMB packs mangos under both its own labels and various other labels for customers of long standing.

We have a strict quality control program, operating from the field to the final check before export. Mangos are shipped daily: by air freight at the beginning of the season, and by ocean containers during the peak season.

JMB S.A. is promoting the expansion of mango production in Haiti.

JMB S.A. has been working with local fruit producers in Haiti to promote increased production of high quality mangos, such as the Madame Francis (also sometimes known as the Madame Francique). JMB has been involved in creating nurseries of Madame Francis mango seedlings for distribution to farmers in Haiti. JMB also promotes grafting programs converting low quality mango trees into export quality mango trees. These initiatives help to promote successful commercial agriculture in Haiti.

Haiti's Madame Francis mango.

The Madame Francis mango is unique to Haiti. Julia F. Morton, the famous Floridian horticulturalist, wrote that 'one of the best-known mangos peculiar to the West Indies is 'Madame Francis' which is produced abundantly in Haiti. It is a large, flattened, kidney-shaped mango, light-green, slightly yellowish when ripe, with orange, low-fiber, richly flavored flesh.

Due to regional climatic conditions in Haiti, the Mme Francique mango is exported during 10 months of the year. It is one of Haiti's most lucrative crops. USAID reported in 2001 that 'the mango industry is estimated to employ thousands of small growers and Haiti is today the second largest exporter of mangos to the US market… Mango exports reached a record high in FY 2000, making mangoes Haiti's number one agricultural export crop.'

JMB S.A. is developing a line of Individually Quick Frozen mango products.

For many consumers, the end of summer signals the end of the mango season, but JMB's new frozen mango halves and cubes, will provide mango all year round. The new line of IQF products from JMB S.A. will include frozen tropical fruits: mango chunks, dice and half's, papaya cubes, as well as honeydew and cantaloupe balls.
Click here for more about JMB's Individually Quick Frozen products.

Le manguier

Le manguier est probablement l'arbre le mieux connu en Haiti. Son fruit est très estimé et partout, le long des routes, à l'ombre de petites tentes de toile à sac, on en rencontre des vendeurs. Les vieux et les jeunes, les riches comme les pauvres, sont heureux de goûter ce délicieux fruit des Tropiques qui peut être consommé sans aucune préparation. L'arbre est ordinairement grand et s'étend sur une assez vaste étendue. De forme gracieuse, il est un des joyaux de la flore haïtienne, embellissant le paysage, tout en fournissant au promeneur ou au travailleur fatigué l'ombre bienveillante de son épaisse frondaison.Le manguier est donc de grande valeur dans notre pays ou il en existe un assez grand nombre de variétés.

Lewis Y. Léonard, M.S. et Pierre G.Sylvain
Port-au-Prince, 1931.