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Mango Processing Increased in Ciego de Ávila |
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Written by Julio Juan Leandro (AIN)|
Thursday, 28 June 2012 07:44
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 Industries of Ciego de Avila are processing over 100 tons of mangos per day in the production of nectar, fruit pulp and jam, at a time when fruit ripening is hastened by the rains.
The largest amount of fruit is ground at the Ceballos Citrus Complex, which receives mangos from Ciego de Ávila, Cienfuegos, Granma and other eastern areas, whose conserves help the import substitution and are sold at the local markets.
Domingo Escalante, assistant director of this Avilanian factory, said that the supply is stable and part of the output serves as feedstock for the production of jams.
He also said the manufacturing center is ready to squeeze more than 3 000 tons in the season and turn them into aseptic puree, part of which is exported, while the remainder is used as the basis for other food production.
According to him, they record days on which they have milled 150 tons or more, depending on the territory from where the fruit is sent.
The Majagua cannery also joined the milling of mangos, mainly those stockpiled in peasant cooperatives.
"The Avilanian mango plantations amount to 2 348 hectares, but there are only 155 producing, since most of the areas are planted with young individuals," said engineer Joel Enrique Álvarez Mejías, a specialist in agriculture.
However, since late April juices, soft drinks and smoothies increased their presence in retail outlets of self-employed workers, as well as retail sales of fresh fruit in the markets and wheelborrows.
Berta Gutiérrez, a non-state worker and owner of a cafe, said the demand is very large, which favors her finances.
Rich in vitamins and minerals, mangoes occupy the largest area of orchards in Cuba, with 31 percent, and its highest stocks took place in 2005, when they amounted to 254 147 tons, officials said.
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