Extreme weather affects 2022 mango harvest compounding issue of rising costs
Indian mango growers have had to contend with increasingly challenging growing conditions, but new opportunities may arise as the industry is forced to adapt.
According to a report from the South China Morning Post, the industry has faced unseasonal winter rains and extreme temperatures over the past few years and production is set to be down in 2022 following recent heatwaves.
Insram Ali, president of the All India Mango Growers’ Association, blamed climate change and a lack of proper flowering for what is forecast to be a poor harvest this year. He also said the use of substandard pesticides had contributed.
“This summer’s fruit will definitely be dearer because of less supply,” said Ali, who predicted production in Uttar Pradesh to fall to 1.5m tonnes, down from the traditional harvest of around 4-5m tonnes. Prices may also be pushed up to keep pace with the rising cost of fuel, fertiliser and pesticides.
As the industry adapts to overcome these challenges there are opportunities to be found, such as organic production which negates the need for pesticides and could help India’s exporters capture the attention of environmentally-conscious international consumers.
According to a report from The Indian Express, one positive of the 2022 season will be the return of exports to the US.
After a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus, US phytosanitary inspectors have arrived back in India enabling exports to resume.
