The mango is one of the oldest cultivated fruit crops, having grown in India for at last 4000 years. It is now widely spread throughout the tropics and subtropics.
At present at least 94 countries produce mangoes. After banana and citrus it is the third most important crops of the topics.The fruit occupies an important socio economic position in India and south-east Asian countries where it is held in big esteem. Mangoes are consumed fresh, as either green or mature ripe, and processed into numerous products.
World production for 2001 was estimated as 23 million tones. International trade in mangoes is expanding as the fruit gains global recognition. Maximum mango yields (33 tones/ha) are low compared top other tree fruit crops such as apple 112 t/ha, pear 90 t/ha, orange 80 t/ha, peach 56 t/ha and prune 45 t/ha.
The mango industry is plagued by inconsistent production with annual yields fluctuating by up to 150%. The average yield in India is low 8.31 t/ha. This is mainly due to neglect in orchard management and alternate bearing tendency of the commercial cultivars.
The development of regular bearing, better quality and high yielding varieties has greatly helped in sustaining increased production of the crop.
During the last decade there has been a steady increase in mango production as markets have been developed in Europe and North America.
There is now substantial mango production in Central and South America, as well as an expanding industry in regions such as northern Australia, South Africa, and southern USA.
Mango Industry
