Mango production in Florida explained

Florida is the largest producer of mangoes in the United States.

History

The first commercial mango orchard in Florida was planted in 1833.^[1] Mango growing and breeding was a hobby of wealthy men in South Florida including Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.^[2]

As a craft beer industry developed in Florida beers which included mango began to appear.^[3] In 2021 Florida was the largest producer of mangoes in the United States.

Season

In the Florida Keys mango season is May-July.^[4]

Risks

Outside of South Florida frost is an issue with Central Florida providing marginal production with adequate protection.^[5]

Variable weather can make the harvest unreliable.^[6] South Florida has significant hurricane risk.^[7]

Culture

The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, Florida hosts the annual International Mango Festival.^[8]

Key West holds an annual Mango Festival,^[9] in the Keys a "mango fairy" is said to leave ripe mangoes for people.^[4]

Breeding

Florida is home to a number of mango breeders. In the 21st century the University of Florida has used genetic profiling to improve the industry.^[10]

Varieties developed in Florida

• Alice (mango)
• Anderson (mango)
• Angie (mango)
• Bailey's Marvel
• Beverly (mango)
• Brooks (mango)
• Carrie (mango)
• Coconut Cream (mango)
• Cogshall (mango)
• Cushman (mango)
• Dot (mango)
• Duncan (mango)
• Earlygold
• Edward (mango)
• Eldon (mango)
• Fairchild (mango)
• Fascell
• Florigon
• Ford (mango)
• Glenn (mango)
• Haden (mango)
• Hatcher (mango)
• Irwin (mango)
• Jakarta (mango)
• Jean Ellen
• Keitt (mango)
• Kent (mango)
• Lippens (mango)
• Osteen (mango)
• Palmer (mango)
• Parvin (mango)
• Rosigold
• Ruby (mango)
• Sensation (mango)
• Sophie Fry
• Southern Blush
• Spirit of '76 (mango)
• Springfels
• Sunset (mango)
• Tommy Atkins (mango)
• Torbert (mango)
• Valencia Pride
• Van Dyke (mango)
• Young (mango)
• Zill (mango)

See also

• Agriculture in Florida
• Tomato production in Florida

Notes and References

1. Web site: Sowder . Amy . What’s the mango’s origin story? . The Packer . thepacker.com . 15 May 2023.
2. Web site: Hughes . Debbie . Growing mangoes in Southwest Florida . news-press.com . News-Press . 15 May 2023.
3. Web site: Jones . Amanda . Hollywood Brewing Company taps into South Florida's craft beer boom . hollywoodgazette.com . Hollywood Gazette . 15 May 2023.
4. Web site: Sickmen . Erin Stover . MANGO SEASON IN THE KEYS . keysweekly.com . Keys Weekly . 15 May 2023.
5. Web site: Popenoe . Juanita . From the Extension: Growing mangoes in central Florida requires careful supervision . dailycommercial.com . Daily Commercial . 15 May 2023.
6. Web site: McClellan . Yvonne Ayala . Man-gone: A fruit falters . News-Press . news-press.com . 15 May 2023.
7. Web site: Delk . Katie . ‘Just heartbreaking’: Southwest Florida small family farmers struggle after Hurricane Ian . wuft.org . WUFT . 15 May 2023.
8. Web site: Keeler . Janet K. . Explore South Florida's global love affair with mangoes . tampabay.com . Tampa Bay Times . 15 May 2023.
9. Web site: Miles . Mandy . MANGO FEST KEY WEST CELEBRATES THE SWEETNESS OF SUMMER . keysweekly.com . Keys Weekly . 15 May 2023.
10. Web site: Rusnak . Paul . More Florida Mangoes, Please! Scientists Are Working on It . growingproduce.com . Growing Produce . 15 May 2023.