Top 6 Mango Importing Countries To Hold Mango Extension Workshops

Orlando, Fla. – The National Mango Board (NMB) is working to improve mango quality through eight Mango Extension Workshops scheduled in the top six mango importing countries. The NMB has received a warm welcome in Chiapas, Mexico and Petrolina, Brazil and is looking forward to more successful meetings throughout 2011.

The Extension Workshop schedule is as follows:

· May 26-28, 2011 – Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico

· July 6, 2011 – Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil

· July 25-28, 2011 – Colima, Colima, Mexico

· August 31 & September 1, 2011 – Guayaquil, Ecuador

· September 28 & 29, 2011 – Piura, Peru

· October 5 & 6, 2011 – Haiti (city TBD)

· October 28 & 29, 2011 – Mazatlán, Mexico

November 30 & December 1, 2011 – Guatemala (city TBD)
 

In addition to NMB staff, 12 researchers from three countries, representing six organizations will present at the workshops and be available to answer questions. Some of the researchers attending include Dr. Jonathan Crane and Dr. Jeffrey Brecht from the University of Florida, Dr. Maria Aparecida Do Como, EMBRAPA (Brazil), and Dr. Edmundo Mercado, Universidad Autónoma de Queretaro (Mexico).

The topics and presenters will differ in each city. Presentations given by NMB staff and researchers will include:

· The Impact of the NMB on Mango Consumption in the United States

· Sustainability of the Mango Industry

· Nutritional Benefits of Imported Mangos

· Mango Supply Chain: Postharvest Best Practices and Quality Control

· Impact of Selected Cultural Practices on Mango Quality

· Impact of Irradiation on Mangos Quality

· Irradiation

“The producers and packers are excited to understand ways to improve mango quality,” stated William Watson, executive director of the NMB. “The industry continues to focus on the consumer; creating a good eating experience to encourage repeat purchases.”

The valuable information presented is a part of the NMB supply chain monitoring project and the resulting Postharvest Best Management Practices Manual, available at www.mango.org/manual. For more information on the Mango Extension Workshops please visit the Industry section of www.mango.org.

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 quadrupled since 1990 to an estimated 2.24 pounds per year in 2010. Mango import volume for 2010 was 770 million pounds. Learn more at www.mango.org.

Source: National Mango Board