Kathmandu:  Nepali mangoes have emerged as dominant players in the market this year, thanks to a bumper production season. The Department of Agriculture reports a consistent increase in mango production over the past few years. In the fiscal year 2020/21, the country produced 466,267 metric tonnes of mango from 43,689 hectares of land. This number rose to 498,859 metric tonnes from 39,579 hectares of land in the FY 2021/22. In the current fiscal year, 2022/23, production has further increased to 12.61 metric tonnes per hectare, compared to 10.67 metric tonnes previously.

Senior agricultural economist and spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Sunil Kumar Singh, attributes this growth to the peak production season. He also highlights the superior quality of Nepali fruits, including mangoes, compared to those from other countries.

The increased production has led to a decrease in mango prices due to substantial supplies. This year, the wholesale price of one kilogram of mango ranged between Rs 40 and Rs 50, whereas during the same period last year, it was between Rs 80 and Rs 90 per kilogram. However, the prices may vary depending on the mango variety, and they are expected to rise as the season comes to an end. -RSS

Among the various mango varieties, the Maldaha mango is particularly in high demand in the market, with a retail price of Rs 100 per kilogram. The Dashahari variety is slightly more expensive, while other species are sold at Rs 100 for one and a half kilograms. During the peak season, approximately 100 tonnes of mangoes were supplied to the Kathmandu Valley daily from Kuleshwor. As the season nears its end, this figure has reduced to 50 tonnes.

The increased supply of mangoes has resulted in lower prices this year, making it one of the cheapest seasons in the past 25 years, according to Amar Baniya, President of the Nepal Fruit Wholesale Entrepreneurs Association. He expects mango sales to reach Rs 300 million this year. Baniya emphasizes that Nepali mangoes offer excellent taste and quality, making them superior to imported mangoes.

However, there are challenges in accessing the Kathmandu market for mangoes produced outside the valley. Poor packaging and grading lead to damage and spoilage of mangoes from nearby regions, hindering their sale in the market. Entrepreneurs suggest that the government should focus on marketing, packaging, and grading Nepali products to overcome these obstacles.

The price of mangoes lacks uniformity, with unripe mangoes fetching lower prices and ripe mangoes commanding higher prices. Determining the exact cost and selling prices is challenging, as traders often purchase entire mango trees with fruits directly from farmers in the orchards.

Most fruits are sold at the Kuleshwor market, while the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetables Market accounts for only around 10 percent of fruit sales. Between April 14 and July 2, 2023, the Kalimati market sold 1,382 tonnes of mangoes, with 50 percent supplied from Siraha district, 119 tonnes from Saptari, 130 tonnes from Sarlahi, and 12 percent (163 tonnes) imported from India.

Nepali mangoes dominate the local market during their peak season, while Indian mangoes are imported during the beginning and end of the season, as well as the off-season. Maldaha mangoes capture 90 percent of the total mango market. The price of mangoes varies throughout the season, with higher prices at the beginning and lower prices during the peak. For instance, in the first week of Jestha, mangoes were sold for Rs 228 per kilogram in the retail market, gradually decreasing to Rs 86 in the fourth week. Similarly, in the first week of Asar, one kilogram of mangoes fetched Rs 62, rising to Rs 75 in the third week. On July 2, the wholesale price ranged between Rs 60 and Rs 70 per kilogram.

Mango farming is carried out in 24 districts in Nepal, covering approximately 35 percent of the total fruit production areas. Despite the potential, domestic production falls short of meeting the increasing demand for fruits, leading to imports from neighboring India and other countries. Factors such as insufficient research, poor orchard management practices, limited distribution of quality fruit saplings, restrictions on land holdings, and a lack of coordination between the private sector and the government contribute to low mango production.

There are numerous mango varieties cultivated in Nepal, including 'Bambai Green,' 'Gopal Bhog,' 'Sukatara,' 'Golabkhas,' 'Dashahari,' 'Maldaha,' 'Mallika,' 'Aamrapali,' 'Chausa,' 'Kamaltiya,' 'Sipiya,' and 'Abehayat.' These varieties ripen at different times throughout the season.

To promote self-sufficiency in fruit production, the government has launched various programs and announced a fruit decade between the fiscal years 2073/74 BS and 2082/83 BS.

Mango, known as the 'king of fruits,' originated in Southeast Asia and India over 5,000 years ago. It spread to the Middle East, East Africa, and South America around 300 AD. Mango trees can be cultivated in various climates, from the plains to the lowlands of the hills. Some mango varieties bear fruits every year, while others do so alternately or with longer intervals of 3-4 years.

Mango trees take five to eight years to produce fruits, and the ripening process takes three to five months after flowering. Mangoes can be consumed raw or cooked, and unripe fruit is often used for pickling. The best growth of mango trees occurs in tropical and warmer subtropical climates, free from frost threats. Mango cultivation can be commercially viable at elevations ranging from 200 to 600 meters above sea level. Given that a single mango tree can bear fruits for several decades (30-40 years), long-term planning is crucial for successful cultivation.