Rajkot: The Kesar mango has arrived early this season in Gujarat’s markets, ushering in the first auctions at Talala market yard in Gir Somnath a week ahead of schedule. While arrivals are lower than last year, steady prices and strong export demand have set an optimistic tone for what farmers expect to be a longer-than-usual season.Talala, the key trading hub for Kesar mangoes, commenced its auction on April 19. The initial arrivals, however, are lower compared to last year. On the opening day, 10,500 boxes (10kg each) were auctioned—around 3,000 boxes fewer than the previous year. Since then, daily arrivals have stabilised at 4,200 to 4,500 boxes.According to Ramesh Siroya, secretary of the Talala market yard, prices have held steady even as early-season fruit quality shows some variation. “The initial crop quality is slightly inferior, but looking at the flowering pattern, the season is expected to last longer than usual,” he said. Premium Kesar mangoes are currently fetching Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per box in the yard, while retail prices range between Rs 160 and Rs 200 per kg.Farmers, too, are optimistic about an extended season this year, attributing it to an unusual double flowering cycle. Parshottam Sidpara, a farmer from Jamvala Gir in Junagadh, explained that some trees flowered twice—once earlier and again in late Jan. “This has led to an early crop and a late crop,” he said, adding that if the monsoon is delayed until late June, mango supplies could continue till Aug or even Sep.However, the season has not been without challenges. Unseasonal rain and hailstorms have caused damage in some areas, with farmers reporting crop losses due to fruit drop. Natha Bhattu, a farmer from Bhesan, said he suffered huge losses this year.Despite domestic setbacks, export demand for Kesar mangoes remains strong. The Talala market yard’s pack house has already shipped six consignments of 1,200kg each to the US, with additional orders expected from Canada and the UK.Meanwhile, Kesar mango cultivation continues to expand, driven by strong demand and attractive returns. The cultivation area has grown from 35,000 hectares in 2021 to 44,000 hectares in 2024–25. Annual production averages around 3.15 lakh metric tonnes. While traditionally concentrated in Junagadh, Gir Somnath and Amreli districts, cultivation has now spread across Bhavnagar, Porbandar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Rajkot, Morbi and Surendranagar.
