The National Mango Board announced Albertsons Cos. as its recipient of the 2021 Mango Retailer of the Year award.

The Mango Retailer of the Year award identifies retailers that go above and beyond to offer strong consistent support to the mango industry and deliver outstanding mango promotion results. Albertsons was selected from more than 100 retailers who partner with the NMB across the United States. The Boise, ID-based retailer has excelled in creating unique and timely mango promotions and displays, incorporating fresh cut and whole mangos.

When it comes to mangos, the team at Panorama Produce Sales Inc. knows their stuff.

“We’ve been importing for close to 20 years,” said Eric Nagelberg, who shares his expertise in imports and sales for the company, headquartered in Mamaroneck, NY. “We have anywhere from three to six growers in every country — Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico — and we also work with Nicaragua and Costa Rica as well.”

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of six members to serve on the National Mango Board. The appointees include five new members and one returning member. Appointees will serve three-year terms from Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2024, with the exception of one importer appointee from District III, whose term will begin immediately and will end Dec. 31, 2022.

The newly appointed board members include:

June is National Mango Month, and the National Mango Board is highlighting that it’s always mango season. From social media campaigns and new recipes to seasonal menu ideas and promotions, the NMB is showcasing how best to utilize mango this summer.

To Chris Ciruli, chief operating officer of Ciruli Bros., based in Nogales, AZ, the numbers speak for themselves. “Last week (April 25 to May 1), 3.7 million cartons of mangos came into the United States. With that type of volume, you’d expect prices to be on the decline, but the demand is still very strong.”

London Fruit Inc., which is based in Pharr, TX, has started production of its Kent mango variety from the state of Michoacán in southwest Mexico.