United States 

Department of 

Agriculture

Animal and 

Plant Health 

Inspection 

Service

March 2013

Analysis in Support of Certification that the 

Rule will not have a Significant Economic 

Impact on a Substantial Number of Small 

Entities

Proposed Rule

APHIS-2013-0018

RIN 0579-AD80

Mangoes from Jamaica into the Continental 

United States

Policy & Program Development

Policy Analysis & Development
i

Summary

This proposed rule is in response to a request from Jamaica to be allowed to export fresh 

mangoes to the continental United States. The annual quantity that Jamaica expects to export to 

the United States, 261 metric tons, represents less than 0.08 percent of U.S. mango imports 

(349,692 metric tons in 2012, primarily from Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, and Guatemala). 

While mangoes are grown in Florida and Hawaii, and in smaller quantities in California and 

Texas, U.S. annual production totals only about 3,000 metric tons.

Most if not all U.S. mango farms and wholesalers are small entities. However, given the 

small quantity expected to be imported from Jamaica relative to current imports, the proposed 

rule would not have a significant impact on U.S. mango producers. Moreover, the Jamaican 

mango season, March to July, only partially overlaps with that of the United States (Florida’s 

season is May to September). U.S. importers may benefit marginally in having Jamaica as 

another source of fresh mangoes.

There would be no recordkeeping or other compliance costs associated with the proposed 

rule for U.S. entities, other than the import documentation normally required. The APHIS 

Administrator certifies that the proposed rule, if promulgated, will not have a significant 

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
ii

 

Table of Contents

Summary.............................................................................................................................. i

Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1

Potential Impact on Small Entities...................................................................................... 2

References........................................................................................................................... 4
1

Introduction 

This analysis provides the basis, as required by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, for 

certification by the APHIS Administrator that the propose rule, if promulgated, will not have a 

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

World production of mangoes is estimated to have been about 37.12 million metric tons

in 2010. India produces approximately 40 percent of the world’s total, followed by China and 

Thailand at 12 and 7 percent, respectively. Other major mango producers are Mexico, Indonesia, 

Pakistan, Brazil, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Bangladesh.

1

 

The United States produces approximately 3,000 metric tons per year, about onehundredth of one percent of world production. U.S. mango production is concentrated in the 

States of Florida, Hawaii, California, and Texas.2 While U.S. mango production is limited, the 

United States is the world’s leading importer of fresh mangoes, receiving 43 percent of imports 

worldwide.3

From 1997 to 2006, U.S. importation of mangoes increased from 187,193 metric tons to 

298,088 metric tons, an increase of nearly 59 percent. Over the five-year period, 2008 to 2012, 

U.S. mango imports averaged 324, 551 metric tons.4 U.S. mango prices vary widely by cultivar 

and by season. In general, mango prices have been steadily declining over the past decade. 

According to the National Mango Board, the average retail price per fruit in 2012 averaged 

 

1

FAO Statistics: http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx

2 Edward A. Evans. “Recent Trends in World and U.S. Mango Production, Trade, and Consumption.” 

University of Florida, IFAS Extension FE718.

3

FAO Statistics: http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspx

4 Economic Research Service: 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/fruit-and-tree-nut-data/data-by-commodity-imports-and 

exports.aspx?programArea=fruit&stat_year=2007&top=5&HardCopy=True&RowsPerPage=25&groupName=Non

Citrus&commodityName=Mangoes
2

around $0.90.

5

The import demand for mangoes in recent years can be attributed to year-round 

availability, lower prices, and broadening consumer preferences. 

In 2008 , Jamaica produced 2,770 metric tons of mangoes. Under Jamaica’s export 

initiative and to guard against the introduction of pests, all growers must be registered with the 

national plant protection organization of Jamaica and the exported mangoes must be treated with 

one of the APHIS-approved treatments: hot water or irradiation. Jamaica expects to export 

approximately 261 metric tons of mangoes per year to the continental United States.

In 2012, the United States imported a total of 349,692 metric tons of mangoes, mostly

from Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador. Jamaica’s expected exports represent less than 0.08 percent of 

current U.S. mango imports. The impact for U.S. producers of this insignificant quantity of 

additional imports would be negligible. Moreover, the Jamaican mango season only partially 

overlaps with that of the United States. 

Potential Impact on Small Entities

Following the Small Business Administration (SBA) guidelines, the entities potentially

affected by the proposed rule are classified within the following industries: Other Non Citrus 

Farming (NAICS 111339) and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (NAICS 

424480). Establishments classified within Other Non Citrus Farming are considered small by

SBA standards if annual sales are not more than $750,000. APHIS does not have information on 

the size distribution of mango producers but according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture there 

were 23,641 farms in the Other Non Citrus Farming classification, and the market value of their 

crop sales averaged about $111,000, well below the small-entity standard. We infer that most if 

not all U.S. mango farms are also small entities. Establishments classified within Fresh Fruit and 

 

5 National Mango Board: http: www.mango.org
3

Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers are considered small by SBA standards if they employ not 

more than 100 persons. According to the 2007 Survey of Business Owners, 97 percent of the 

establishments in this category employed fewer than 100 people.

Mango imports from Jamaica are expected to total about 261 metric tons per year. While 

U.S. mango production is minor, about 3,000 metric tons per year, the United States imported 

nearly 350,000 metric tons in 2012. Expected imports from Jamaica would represent less than

0.08 percent of total U.S. mango imports.

Mangoes grown in the United States are produced in Florida, California, Texas, and 

Hawaii primarily for local markets. The imports from Jamaica could help meet growing demand 

in all States. The additional mango imports of 261 metric tons would not cause a significant 

decrease in mango prices or otherwise substantially affect the market. U.S. importers may

benefit marginally in having Jamaica as another source of fresh mangoes.

The APHIS Administrator has determined that this action, if promulgated, will not have a 

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
4

References

Census of Agriculture, 2007, 

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Full_Report/index.asp

Economic Census, 2007, http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/

U.S. Small Business Administration. U.S. Small Business Administration: Table of Small 

Business Size Standards Match to North American Industry Classification System 

http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_homepage/serv_sstd_tablepdf.pdf