Orlando, Fla. – On April 12, 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved an assessment rate increase of ¼ cent per pound on fresh mangos, increasing the rate to ¾ cent per pound for whole fresh mangos sold in the United States. The National Mango Board (NMB) first proposed an increase in the assessment rate after an approved motion from board members in September 2009. First handlers and importers of 500,000 pounds or more annually are required to pay an assessment. First handlers and importers of less than 500,000 pounds of mangos annually are exempt from the assessment through an exemption process. According to the Agriculture Marketing Service, the new assessment rate on fresh mangos will take effect on Sept. 1, 2012.
The initial assessment rate of ½ cent per pound on fresh mangos was established as part of the inception of the NMB in 2005. After careful deliberation of the future of the NMB and the mango industry, the board approved the motion in September 2009 to proceed with a proposal to USDA to increase the assessment rate to ¾ cent per pound. This approval by the board started the proposal process.
The proposal was then sent to USDA for review, as specified in the Mango Promotion, Research and Information Order, which governs the operations of the NMB. Upon receipt of this proposal, USDA published a proposed rule and a request for comments from the industry. The mango industry continued to voice their opinion regarding the increase as measured by surveys taken in July, October and December 2010.
“We are very pleased with the exceeding results achieved thus far and look forward to the continued success the NMB brings to the entire mango industry. The additional resources will allow the NMB to increase their efforts in research and marketing, while bringing the industry members together,” said Ronnie Cohen, NMB Chairperson.
The board demonstrated a significant measurable impact for its stakeholders and has a strategic plan in place to guide the investment of industry funds. “Although it has been a long and methodical process, we take the responsibility of effectively investing the industry’s additional resources very seriously,” said William Watson, NMB Executive Director. Customs will begin collecting the new rate on September 1, 2012.
About National Mango Board
The National Mango Board is a national promotion and research organization, which is supported by assessments from both domestic and imported mangos. The board was designed to drive awareness and consumption of fresh mangos in the U.S. One cup of mango is only 100 calories, an excellent source of vitamins A and C, a good source of fiber and an amazing source of tropical flavor.
Mango availability per capita has increased 35% since 2005 to an estimated 2.53 pounds per year in 2011. Mango import volume for 2011 was 810 million pounds. Learn more at www.mango.org.
Source: National Mango Board
