Brazil aims to supply hydrothermally treated mango to South Korea and Japan

On Sep 10, 2026

Brazil, one of the world’s leading mango exporters, is pushing ahead with its expansion strategy into Asia. Mario Otsuka, CEO of Brazilian company Gold Fruit, confirmed this during the recent trade fair held in Asia, the first the company has attended in the region.

“The Asian market is very important to us because we keep an eye on the future. It is a growing market, and we want to grow with it,” said Otsuka. The company already has phytosanitary agreements with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan, though the level of commercial activity differs by destination.

Hong Kong is currently the only Asian market where Gold Fruit has made shipments, although still only limited volumes. By contrast, South Korea and Japan will remain outside the company’s commercial reach until 2027, when it plans to begin operating there. The reason is regulatory, as both countries require hydrothermal treatment as a mandatory market access condition; a process Gold Fruit has yet to implement. “We are building a new packing house, and we will also have hydrothermal treatment, which is a necessary and mandatory requirement to enter the Korean and Japanese markets,” said Mario, noting that this treatment is not yet required in markets such as Europe or Canada.

Beyond phytosanitary requirements, Mario mentioned logistics as one of the main challenges for a solid Brazilian presence in Asia. “The logistics processes are very expensive and slow when shipping by container, and very expensive when doing it by air,” he said, referring to the distance between Brazil and Asian markets.

On top of that obstacle lies a deeper commercial challenge: getting Asian consumers to accept new varieties. Gold Fruit primarily exports the Palmer variety, while the Asian market is historically accustomed to Kent mangoes. “The biggest challenge is getting this market to accept our mangoes, because our varieties are new to them,” said Mario, also pointing to a shortage of staff with expertise in exporting to the region as an additional constraint for the company.

Mario says that, unlike other producing countries, Brazil has not experienced any climate-related production setbacks in the 2026 season. “We have not suffered the impact of the climate because we have technologies allowing us to produce mango year-round,” he said, attributing this stability also to the country’s geographical conditions, which set it apart from producers such as Peru.

Reflecting on the company’s first appearance at an Asian trade fair, Mario was upbeat about growth prospects. “I am very happy and excited about this market, about conquering this new market, and we are working towards that.”

For more information:
Mario Otsuka
Gold Fruit
Brazil
Tel.: +55 87 98108 2612
[email protected]
www.goldfruit.com.br

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