After a disastrous 2024 season, mango growers see early signs that this year’s crop will be bountiful.

The signs of a good mango year are in: lots of blooms on trees and young fruit growing on trees throughout South Florida. It’s in sharp contrast to last year, when weather and disease converged, resulting in sharp declines in mangos.

“Here in Broward, the mango harvest looks promising and much better than last year,” says Karim Rossy of the Rare Fruit and Vegetable Council of Broward. “The early blooms did get wet with some January rains, which affected some cultivars more than others with powdery mildew, but a second flush saved us. Last week we had some winds that knocked off the weaker hanging fruits, but I think we’ll be enjoying some nice fruits.”

Rossy says he’s looking at some nice clusters of Fairchild, Phillipine, Cac, Mallika, Orange Sherbet, Lemon Zest, Okrung, Valencia Pride, Carrie, Glenn, Crème Brulée and Pickering in his own backyard. “Maybe we can get one more flowering in to replenish the dropped fruit and give us some late fruit,” he says. “The temperature swings play tricks on mango trees.” 

At UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), director Edward “Gilly” Evans says their mango trees are looking good. “Our mango trees seem to be relishing this year’s weather conditions and they are all in full bloom,” Evans notes in their most recent newsletter. “While successful pollination/fertilization is not guaranteed solely on bloom, we are keeping our fingers crossed that, unlike last year, all of the close to 200 cultivars (varieties) we maintain at the Center will be laden with mangos.”

“Our mango crop is looking really, really good at the moment,” says Louise King, horticulturist at Fruit and Spice Park. “We had a great flowering and a wonderful fruit set, so all we have to do know is wait for them to grow, And they are. Day by day. If all goes well, it’s looking to be a terrific mango year!

Mango Men Homestead are already taking orders for “raw” mangos – primarily used for pickling or processing. “We are back for 2024 with raw, pickling mangos for those who have discovered or grown up with this most impressive way to enjoy the king of fruit.” They’re offering their new selection, Jade Dragon, just for raw mangos. “Jade Dragon is one of our wangos, with a tart flavor and pungent aroma reminiscent of ‘manga,’” he says. The small, green fruits have small stones for ease of processing.

If you’re looking for ripe mangos for fresh eating, Campbell says, you’ll just have to wait. Mango season typically begins in May and runs through July and August, although some growers are already harvesting early mangos.

In the meantime, follow Rossy’s advice: get the cutting board and dehydrator ready!