Mango output increases share falls in total fruit basket
Two decades ago, nearly one-third of your fruit basket was filled with mango. That share has come down to one-fifth in the recent past.
But don't be under the impression that there was a decline in mango production in the country. In fact, it has doubled in last two decades.
According to the National Horticulture Board's Indian Horticulture Database-2011, the country produced 8.71 million tonnes (mt) of mangoes on 1.07 million hectares of land in 1991-92, contributing 30.4 per cent to the total fruit production. That year, India harvested 28.6 mt of various fruits on 2.87 million hectares of land.
The data for 2010-11 shows that India produced 15.1 mt of mango on 2.29 million hectares of land, contributing 20.3 per cent to the total fruit production. India's total fruit harvest was 74.87 mt from 6.38 million hectares of land in 2010-11.
Maharashtra fared better in terms of area under mango production, but not in terms of productivity.
In spite of a decline in area under production, Andhra did better in terms of productivity.
However, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a steady growth in area of cultivation and production, recording highest productivity among other states.
EXPORTS
It looks like more NRIs and others in West Asia imported fresh mangoes from India, than those in other parts of the world.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained as a favourite destination for Indian mango exporters. This was followed by Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
Though the UAE was second major export destination in terms of volumes, it occupied the first position in terms of value.
The value of was above Rs 100 crore for 2009-10 and 2010-11 to that region.
