"Indian mango season has been a bit of a mixed bag"

The Indian mango season has had to deal with unexpected weather changes, lowering the yield, says Nomaan Khilji, Director of Indian fresh produce trader Khilji Brothers: "This mango season has been a bit of a mixed bag. While the initial signs were quite promising, with good flowering, the season took a bit of a hit due to unexpected weather changes. The early part of the season showed great potential, especially in regions like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. However, unseasonal rains and temperature fluctuations caused some disruptions in fruit setting and overall yield."

It's not all bad everywhere, though. According to Khilji, several production areas in India are seeing stable volumes. "In the southern regions, particularly Kerala and Karnataka, the mango season has been relatively more stable. Varieties like Totapuri and Banganapalli from Karnataka, and Neelam and Alphonso from Kerala have maintained good production levels. These regions managed to avoid the worst of the unpredictable weather, contributing significantly to the overall supply. Despite some challenges, the season has delivered decent quality mangoes, although the total production is slightly lower than last year."

Khilji emphasizes it wasn't just one weather event that caused difficulties. Depending on the region, various circumstances impacted production: "The weather had a significant impact this season, especially in northern and western regions. Warmer-than-usual temperatures led to early flowering, which initially looked like a good sign. However, the bloom period was shorter than normal, which affected fruit formation. Rain during the fruit-setting phase, particularly in Maharashtra and Gujarat, led to flower drops and reduced fruit growth. Some regions in North India also faced heavy rains that impacted the quality of the produce. Finally, heatwaves in North India, in Uttar Pradesh and parts of Bihar, caused early ripening in varieties like Dasheri and Langda. This led to a shorter harvest period, making it difficult for farmers to manage the supply chain effectively."

In other areas, the impact of the weather has actually been rather positive, Khilji states. "In contrast, Kerala and Karnataka fared better in terms of weather stability. The moderate climate in these regions ensured a relatively smoother fruiting process, allowing the production of consistent, high-quality mangoes. Karnataka, in particular, saw a steady yield of Totapuri and Alphonso mangoes, which are in high demand both domestically and internationally."

Demand from foreign markets has been strong, and there is sufficient focus on entering new markets: "Export demand is steady, with major buyers from the UAE, UK, Saudi Arabia, and the US continuing to import Indian mangoes. Alphonso and Kesar remain the favorites in these markets. Interestingly, there has been growing interest from countries like Japan and South Korea, where Indian mangoes are gaining popularity for their rich flavor and aroma. Efforts are underway to enter new markets such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, where Indian mangoes are gradually making inroads. Additionally, there is increasing interest from Southeast Asian nations like Malaysia and Singapore."

"Despite the challenges this season, the overall response has been positive. With farmers and exporters adapting to changing conditions and with growing interest from new international markets, the future looks bright for Indian mangoes. If weather conditions remain favorable next year, we can expect an even better season ahead, with increased production and higher export volumes," Khilji concludes.

For more information:
Nomaan Khilji
Khilji Brothers
Tel: +91 998 700 0786
naumaankhilji@gmail.com