Strong Demand for Ivorian Mangoes Amid a Challenging International Context

Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa’s leading exporter of mangoes to Europe, is experiencing a relatively slow start to its 2026 marketing campaign. The season, which began on March 28, has not yet reached full momentum due to a combination of lower production and a more complex international environment.

For the 2026 season, the farm-gate price of mangoes in Côte d’Ivoire has been set at 2,450 FCFA per kilogram (approximately €3.73). Producers had hoped for higher prices, but the global context—marked by the crisis in the Gulf region—has pushed stakeholders toward more moderate pricing.

On the domestic front, the campaign is off to a sluggish start due to reduced production. In December 2025, early rainfall disrupted the mango tree cycle, delaying flowering and consequently affecting the beginning of the harvest. Industry players are now banking on the second harvest, which is expected to begin soon.

Despite these challenges, exporters are reporting stronger demand, partly driven by Mali’s export ban on mangoes to Europe. “We are seeing a 20 to 30% increase in demand. There is pressure on mango supply for delivery, which is new,” said one exporter.

Rising transport costs

For organic mango exports, the marketing season has been extended by ten days this year. However, freight costs have increased due to the conflict in Iran, with some exporters reporting an additional €1,000 per container. In this context, exporters warn that if selling prices fall too low, profitability will be severely affected.

Last year, Côte d’Ivoire exported around 40,000 tons of mangoes, mainly to France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. However, Ivorian conventional mangoes struggle to compete with those from Brazil and Peru, particularly due to difficulties in ensuring optimal fruit ripeness upon arrival.

Another major challenge remains compliance with sanitary standards, as the mango fruit fly is still present in orchards. Only a portion of plantations has been treated, leaving a significant share of production potentially exposed. Exporters claim that processing plants strictly enforce sanitary protocols and reject any fruit affected by the pest