The mango is one of the most common and versatile fruit in the world with production focussed in Asia, most notably India and China. In South Africa, the production of mangoes started in the subtropical regions of the Limpopo Province but expanded to include late-harvest production in the dry, hot Clanwilliam area of the Western Cape.
Mango Production Areas in South Africa
South African mangoes are mainly grown in the north-eastern parts of the country. Mango plantings in Limpopo are found in the Soutpansberg, Northern, Central and Southern Letaba, Hoedspruit as well as the Trichardtsdal and Ofcolaco regions.
Mango plantings in Mpumalanga are found in Komatipoort and Onderberg areas of Malelane. Mangoes are also planted in the KwaZulu-Natal Province and about 100 hectares are planted in the dry warm region of Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. These Western Cape mangoes extend the South African mango season into late May.
Mango Season in South Africa
Mangoes are summer fruit and availability starts in late November in the Limpopo Province around Malelane with the Tommy Atkins variety.
The Hoedspruit area of Limpopo is the core production area with harvesting that begins in mid-December and finishes around the end of March. Clanwilliam in the Western Cape is the latest production area with the mango season starting in mid-February and concluding around the end of May with the late cultivar Keitt.
World Mango Production
Mangoes are produced in more than 90 countries but 80% of the world production came from ten main producers. Top mango producers are India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Nigeria. India is the top producer of mangoes at 40%, followed by China at 11%.
Statistics showed that India exported just over 49 000 tonnes of mango in 2017/18 but mango production in India in 2019 was estimated to be 70% lower due to cold weather conditions during flowering season in January.
Although the USA is not a top producer, it was a leader in developing most commercial mango cultivars and is the biggest importer of mangoes in the world.
Statistics of Mango Production
Mangoes are packed in 4kg cartons for the export market and are mostly shipped. Small quantities are air-freighted to India, a new export market for South Africa.
About 37% of South Africa’s mango production is sold locally as fresh eating fruit and another 16% is used for juice. The atchar market absorbs another 28.5% of green mango produce in South Africa, while 10% is used for drying. Only 6% of mango production in South Africa was exported during the 2018/19 season.
In 2018/19, exports to the Middle East accounted for 53% of total South African mango exports. Exports to Africa (mainly Botswana and Ghana) accounted for 17% and Russia and the Netherland each enjoy 6% of South Africa’s mango exports.
South Africa is not a big importer of mangoes. Imports are mainly from Mozambique at 68% and Zimbabwe.
By Marinda Louw
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