Gandhinagar: Gujarat is fast becoming a global hub for premium mango exports, with the state exporting 856 metric tonnes of mangoes in the financial year 2024–25 alone. In the last five years, Gujarat has shipped more than 3,000 metric tonnes of mangoes to countries like the United States, South Africa, and others—reflecting the rising demand and global recognition of its high-quality varieties, especially the Kesar mango.
Mango Cultivation Covers 1.77 Lakh Hectares in Gujarat
According to Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, mangoes are cultivated across 1.77 lakh hectares in Gujarat, which constitutes nearly 37% of the state’s total fruit and flower crop area. This includes popular varieties such as Kesar, Alphonso, Rajapuri, Totapuri, and Sonpari.
Key mango-growing districts include:
- Valsad: 38,000 hectares
- Navsari: 34,800 hectares
- Gir Somnath: 18,400 hectares
- Kutch: 12,000 hectares
- Surat: 10,200 hectares
The Kesar mango, particularly from Talala Gir, holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is celebrated globally for its sweetness and aroma. Its cultivation is also rising significantly in the Kutch region.
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Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility Boosts Exports
A major enabler of Gujarat’s export success is the Gujarat Agro Radiation Processing Facility, located in Bavla near Ahmedabad. This USDA-APHIS-certified unit—India’s fourth and Gujarat’s first—processed 224 metric tonnes of Kesar mangoes for export in 2024–25. Over the past five years, it has handled 805 metric tonnes of mangoes via gamma irradiation, a requirement for exporting to several international markets.
Previously, mango farmers had to transport produce to Mumbai for irradiation, adding to costs and increasing the risk of post-harvest losses. The Bavla unit has addressed this gap and made Gujarat more self-reliant in export infrastructure.
Integrated Export Infrastructure Developed by Gujarat Government
To further strengthen its agri-export capacity, the Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Ltd. under the state’s Agriculture Department, has developed a comprehensive export ecosystem in Ahmedabad district, which includes:
- Gamma Irradiation Unit
- Integrated Pack House
- Perishable Air Cargo Complex
All three are USDA-APHIS approved and function in an integrated manner, improving quality assurance, reducing post-harvest losses, and lowering transportation costs for export-bound produce.
Visionary Policy and Farmer Support Fuel Growth
The export boom is attributed to visionary policy initiatives under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, which include incentive-driven schemes to promote mango cultivation and improve post-harvest infrastructure.
“The Kesar mango’s popularity is growing steadily. The state’s climate and soil are ideal for premium mango varieties, and our infrastructure investments are helping farmers reach global markets more efficiently,” said Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel.
