Summer is here, and the heat is unbearable! But we’ll take the stickiness of hot and humid days since they also bring mangoes. Imagine the juice running down your chin as you bite into a slice or the sweet, sour, and tangy taste of refreshing Aam Panna tingling your taste buds. And how can we forget Aam Ras, chhunda, or mango chutney that can make any regular meal delish and complete? Mangalorean Ripe Mango Curry or Thai Yellow Coconut Curry delights in any form.
Is your mouth watering yet? Little wonder the king of fruits rules India’s and the world’s hearts — so much so that the global mango market stood at a sweet $63.65 billion in 2023!
So, what makes the King of Fruits -Mango not-so-aam?
Millennia Old Journey
India first cultivated mangoes 5,000 years ago, but did you know that fossil evidence dates its origins 25–30 million years to Northeast India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh?
Since then, Alexander the Great carried it to Greece, and Babur felt compelled to establish his empire in India. Humayun fled to Kabul only after ensuring its hefty supply through the courier system. The mango saga through the ages has been nothing but fascinating.
By The Portuguese In The 1490s
When the Portuguese encountered mangoes in Kerala during the1490s, they renamed the fruit Manga from Malayalam Maamkay and Malayan Manna. They introduced mangifera indica to the world as mango through trade.
Traders and travelers also took the king of fruits’ seeds to the Middle East, East Africa, South America, and other parts of the globe, making it a global phenomenon.
A Symbol of Celebration in India
While the Mauryans planted aam trees by the roadside as a mark of prosperity, the fruit symbolized faith for the Buddhists, as rulers exchanged it as gifts.
The Mughals savored exquisite fruit-based dishes, Aam Ka Lauz and Aam Ka Meetha Pulao, making it an emblem of luxury and legacy.
Kalidas, Mirza Ghalib, Amir Khusrau, and Rabindranath Tagore dedicated poems to this delicious fruit, which has remained an integral part of Indian celebrations.
Not to forget, we also have the National Mango Festiva, which has been celebrated with huge fiestas in Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Allahabad, Goa, and many other locations since the 1987s.
The Many Avatars of Manga
Whole fruit, canned, pulp, puree, drinks, processed foods, or condiments, no matter how you prefer your mango, giants like Del Monte, Capricorn Food Products India Ltd., Parle Agro, etc., provide it.
As we innovate with experiments and technology, there will always be a high demand for mangoes worldwide in households, the food and beverage industry, food service providers, and more.
Manga’s Socioeconomic Impact
Mango has delighted the world’s taste buds and supported India socioeconomically. Our nation grew approximately 21 million metric tons of mangoes in 2023—a big jump from the 16.2 million metric tons we grew in 2012.
In addition to export, mango cultivation and trading also create employment opportunities, with various stages of the value chain—planting, harvesting, and post-harvest processing. They also encourage entrepreneurship through local fruit and juice stalls and processing units.
Fruity Frenzy Across the World
Mangoes have captured our imaginations for ages. They are rising globally and may hit $67.95 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of 6.7%.
Disposable incomes, a surge in exports, booming emerging markets for aam-flavored foods and beverages, and a growing buzz about plant-based products are fuelling this fruity frenzy.
By 2028, the market will be worth a whopping $89.55 billion, zipping along with a CAGR of 7.1%.
In the Global Mango Pie
As the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region takes the lead with the Philippines and Thailand, India’s mango game is strong, too, and the world is taking notice!
The country’s exports jumped by 19% to $47.98 billion during the 2023 season. We shipped 27,330 metric tons of mangoes to the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Beyond the APAC region, North America, Europe, and the Middle East also contribute significantly to the global mango economy.
Driving the aam mania are growing awareness of its health and nutrition benefits, booming e-commerce, an expanding population, and governments jumping on the mango bandwagon with their initiatives.
Future As Bright And Colorful As Kesari Mango
Farms are set to bear the sweet fruit of success with global awareness about sustainable and eco-friendly practices, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, and efficient water management techniques.
For now, though, let’s relish hundreds of varieties, including Hapus, Dussheri, Neelam, and Langda, all cultivated to perfection!
I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.