Mexico’s mango industry has become a global powerhouse, producing more than 2.2 million tons in 2023 and supplying nearly 85% of its exports to the United States. But beneath that record output lies a story of strain.

This episode unpacks the forces reshaping the country’s mango sector - from climate extremes and new pesticide bans to the economic realities facing smallholder farmers who make up 70% of producers. Drought in Sinaloa slashed exports by 75%, while heavy rains in Chiapas and Oaxaca wiped out parts of the prized Ataulfo “honey mango” crop.

We explore how Mexico’s nine-month mango season depends on a carefully sequenced coastal harvest, why yield gains have stalled despite rapid expansion, and what the phaseout of 35 “red list” agrochemicals means for growers already stretched by weather volatility.

As the conversation turns toward 2026, the message is clear: the future of tropical farming isn’t about planting more trees - it’s about building resilience through smarter irrigation, adaptive genetics, and affordable technology for small-scale growers.