SPECIAL INSERT Agriculture industry THE NATIONAL MANGO BOARD YEARS CELEBRATES Achievements, Research, and Marketing Make Mangoes One of the Most Consumed Fruits in the U.S. By Violeta Montes de Oca M angoes are joy, favor, nutrition, and strate- gy. Tis vision is the foundation of the National Mango Board (NMB), which is celebrating 20 years of suc- cessful work with tangible achievements and an Octo- ber reception. Te organi- zation, which aims to unite the industry to increase the consumption of fresh man- goes in the United States, has successfully increased the presence of this fruit in American households. To mark the 20th anni- versary, Executive Director Ramón Ojeda emphasizes that the celebration is a time to honor the visionaries who laid the foundation for the NMB in the early 2000s. Te event, which will take place in October, will recognize the leadership and altruistic work of the pioneers who helped found it in 2005 and all the members who have driven its growth over the past two decades. Te event is possible in part thanks to the support of sponsors such as Ama- zon Produce, Continental Fresh, C.H. Robinson, Coast Tropical, CAPCO, Mission Produce, GM Produce, RCF, and Splendid. FROM TROPICAL FRUIT TO DAILY FAVORITE Over the past 20 years, the NMB has developed more than 140 research projects and 100 adverti- sing campaigns. Tis work has allowed consumers to enjoy mangoes 52 weeks a year and has helped highli- ght their nutritional bene- fts. As Ojeda notes, they are focusing their campaigns on the versatility and heal- th benefts of mangoes. A single serving of mango provides fber, vitamin B6, and more than 20 other vitamins, minerals, and an- tioxidants, all with just 70 calories. By 2030, the NMB envi- sions the mango as an in- tegral part of the American diet, positioning it as one of the top 10 most consumed fruits in the country. U.S. PRODUCTION The main mango produc- tion areas in the United States include Southern Florida, the Coachella Va- lley in California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION Per capita mango con- sumption has grown from 1.9 pounds per person in 2005 to 3.6 pounds in 2023. This places it as the 11th most consumed fruit in the country. EXPORTING COUNTRIES 21 countries have phytosa- nitary programs to export mangoes to the U.S., inclu- ding: Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and India. A VERY JUICY FRUIT TOTAL CONSUMPTION More than 1.2 billion pounds (550,000 metric tons) of mangoes are consumed annually in the U.S., generating a Free on Board (FOB) value of over $900 million. SAVE THE DATE The National Mango Board will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a Mango Indus- try Reception. Date: October 17 Time: 6:00 to 9:00 PM Location: 777 W Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802 10�SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2025�ABASTO.COM