Exploring the Diverse World of Mango Varieties in India – Crop Report 2024

The mango (Mangifera indica), is regarded as the king of fruits and is loved and enjoyed by people all over the world. The crop is an essential component of India’s agricultural landscape due to its long history, varied variety, and economic significance. Let’s examine the flourishing field of mango agriculture in India as we approach the mango season of 2024.

The Majesty of Mangoes

The mango, the most ancient fruit in the tropics, is said to have come from the Indo-Burma region. India is proud to be the largest mango-producing nation in the world. It’s thanks to our nation’s extensive mango-producing area of 2.3 million hectares and an annual production of 20.9 million tonnes. The long-lasting appeal of Indian mangoes is due to their appealing aroma, delectable flavour, superb taste, and high vitamin C and A content.

Mango plant grows in various temperature conditions, despite being a tropical plant. It enables it to adapt to various climatic conditions with ease. Another reason why mango farming is a profitable endeavour for farmers is due to its relatively low maintenance expenses – particularly in semi-arid regions with proper irrigation systems.

Crop Report 2024

Contrary to the previous year, mango acreage decreased in India in the 2022-2023 season, spreading across 23.32 lakh hectares (57.62 lakh acres). Nonetheless, there was a strong production of 209.27 lakh tonnes, which is the second advance. Some states that witnessed notable acreage are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Karnataka, Telangana, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

Speaking of Telangana, this state is a giant mango producer in India. Khammam, Nagarkurnool, Jagityal, Siddipet, Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Mancherial, and Mahabubabad are some of the key growing regions in the state. Agricultural Market Intelligence Centre with assistance from the Department of Agricultural Economics at Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University has predicted mango prices for 2023-2024. During the harvesting time that falls from March to May 2024, mango prices are predicted to vary from INR 3580 to 4250.

Note: Given the uncertain developments in the commodities markets, such as changes in global prices, import or export constraints, etc., there could be a chance that the actual prices differ from the projected values.

A Kaleidoscope of Varieties: Shimla Hills and the Rich Tapestry of Mangoes

One company that stands out for its dedication to quality and innovation among the colorful mosaic of Indian mango varieties is Shimla Hills. Being one of the top processed mango puree and pulp manufacturers in India, Shimla Hills provides high-end goods made from a variety of beautiful mango varieties. Let’s explore these types and their distinctive qualities:

• Alphonso Mango: Without a down Alphonso is the crown jewel among mangoes. It boasts a velvety texture and heavenly sweet taste. Sourced from various districts of Ratnagiri, Raigad, and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, this particular mango reigns supreme in the world of mangoes.

• Totapuri Mango: Known for its distinctive elongated “parrot’s beak-like” shape, this variety gets its name as the “Totapuri” mango. Also called “Ginimoothi,” this mango variety hails from the sun-kissed orchards of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. They are popular for their unique flavor profile, which is ideal for preparing endless culinary creations.

• Raspuri Mango: Raspuri mangoes boast a rich aroma and heavenly taste of its fiberless pulp. It comes from South Indian state of Karnataka – particularly grown in Kolar, Bengaluru, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, and Chikkaballapura. Popular for its juiciness, these mangoes are great for juice extraction and fresh consumption. Many professional chefs and culinary enthusiasts adore processed mango puree/pulp made from the given varieties. After all, it’s convenient to prepare endless food and beverage recipes using processed puree/pulp.

• Kesar Mango: Kesar Mango is Gujarat’s Prized possession and it’s popular for its sweet flavour, smooth texture, and enchanting aroma reminiscent of saffron. These mangoes come from the districts of Amreli and Junagadh Amreli in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. Renowned for their culinary versatility, they usually find their way into preserves and sweets.

• Neelam Mango: Boasting vibrant yellow skin with delectably fibrous pulp, these mangoes have a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. Commonly available in South Indian states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, Neelam mangoes add a burst of flavour to a wide range of desserts and other recipes.

• Raw Mango: While many people enjoy mango varieties, raw (green) mangoes provide a tantalizing tartness for preparing various types of chutneys, pickles, and refreshing sour beverages. Their distinct flavour profile adds a rejuvenating twist to traditional recipes too. Hence, it’s a staple in Indian kitchens. For commercial uses, many F&B companies use processed raw mango puree to make candies, chutneys, and more.

• Shimla Hills excels in offering premium quality processed mango purees/pulps using the aforementioned mango varieties. Their utilization ensures adding a symphony of textures and flavours in distinct types of culinary creations.

Navigating Challenges

Despite its significance, mango agriculture suffers many challenges due to unfavourable weather, particularly drought. The production and quality of mangoes may bear the impact of severe drought in some parts of India. Hence, farmers must address the issues using better water management techniques and following sustainable agricultural practices.

Conclusion

The 2024 mango season is likely to yield a variety of mangoes in abundance. While customers relish the delectable tastes of mangoes, we recognise the hard work of farmers and other stakeholders who cultivate this popular fruit, guaranteeing it’s plenty for future generations. At Shimla Hills, we follow sustainable farming practices to ensure the premium yield of ripe mature mangoes. Hence, we can produce premium-quality processed mango purees/pulps to meet customers’ industrial requirements.