The build-up to the Indian mango season has been very positive, says Rahul Yadav, CEO of Indian fresh produce exporter Gajvaktram Exports: "We can thank the environment for providing such favourable weather conditions, including the required seasonal rain and bright sunlight necessary for mango cultivation. This will greatly boost mango production in India. Furthermore, the diligent efforts of our farmers in adhering to sustainable agricultural practices have also played a significant role in ensuring the quality and abundance of this year's mango harvest. The most consumed and exported varieties of mangoes are Alphonso, Kesar, and Banganapalli.
A bumper crop is expected for the mangoes in India. According to Yadav in Ratnagiri and Devgad, this year's Alphonso mango yield is significantly higher compared to last year. Last year, adverse climatic conditions led to a yield of only around 40 per cent in Ratnagiri and Sindhudurga. However, this year, favorable weather conditions have boosted the yield to approximately 70 to 75 per cent."
Some of the region's trees did experience some challenges with flowering, so the harvest could have been even lower, Yadav says: "Regarding Kesar mangoes, also known as the Queen of mangoes, they are primarily cultivated in Gujarat's Talala, Gir, and Junagadh regions. The export of Kesar mangoes is notably high, due to the preference of overseas customers, especially those from Gujarat. However, this year saw challenges with flowering in October and November, causing some trees to wither. Yet, trees that flowered later are expected to yield fruits by late May and will allow harvest up until June. In Gujarat, there might be a slight dip in Kesar mango production."
"On the other hand, Maharashtra has witnessed a rapid increase in Kesar mango cultivation over the past few years, attributed to timely flowering and favorable weather conditions. Consequently, Maharashtra's Kesar mangoes will hit the market around March 15th and are expected to be available in significant volumes starting from the second week of April."
The mangoes aren't exclusively exported though. Yadav states that they also have a big market with domestic consumers. "As the mango season has commenced, various varieties are beginning to hit the market, resulting in a high domestic demand, consistent with previous years. We have initiated doorstep delivery of Alphonso mangoes to our customers, and anticipate a significant surge in demand for Kesar and Badami mangoes in the near future. The only potential concern lies in export due to the current Red Sea crisis, which has led to a 200 to 300 per cent increase in air freight costs for many countries. However, we are in discussions with our buyers regarding this issue, and despite the challenges, our clients have been supportive."
For this season, Yadav would love to enter a new market overseas: "We have a strong presence in the domestic market by directly delivering mangoes to customers' doorsteps, and we are continuously expanding our customer base every year. Our main export markets currently include the UK with high volumes and Europe. This season, we are looking to enter the USA market with our mangoes," he concludes.
For more information:
Rahul Yadav, CEO
Gajvaktram Exports Llp
Email: [email protected]
www.gajvaktramexports.com