GUJARAT: Japan Bans Kesar Mangoes Due to Pest, mango cultivation and market report

What Are the Reasons? The State of Kesar Mango Cultivation and the Market in Gujarat

Dilip Patel

Ahmedabad, May 29, 2026

Japan has once again imposed a ban on the import of GI-tagged Kesar mangoes from Gujarat. Ironically, the mangoes being consumed within Gujarat are the very ones that Japan is unwilling to accept. The rigorous procedures—such as pack-house processing, Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT), and irradiation—that are mandated for mangoes destined for Japan are not applied to the mangoes consumed by the people of Gujarat.

Citing concerns regarding quality and quarantine protocols, Japan has imposed an immediate ban in 2026 on the import of Kesar, Alphonso, Langra, and Banganapalli mangoes from India. This ban was instituted after deficiencies were detected in pest control measures and the Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) process.

Japan maintains extremely stringent biosecurity regulations regarding fruit flies and pest control. The country fears that fruit flies, insect eggs, or other pests could potentially enter Japan through shipments of Indian mangoes. Consequently, Japan refuses to take even the slightest risk.

Indian mangoes destined for export to Japan are required to undergo a specific “Vapor Heat Treatment.” It is within this Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) process that flaws were identified. The procedure involves subjecting the mangoes to an atmosphere of controlled heat and humidity; additionally, chemical agents are utilized to eradicate fruit fly larvae and other pests.

However, in March 2026, Japanese quarantine officials identified several deficiencies during an inspection of Indian treatment facilities.

Japan’s Yokohama Plant Protection Association announced that shipments accompanied by Indian inspection certificates issued after March 25, 2026, would no longer be accepted.

It is important to note that this ban was not imposed due to issues concerning pesticides or chemical residues; rather, the primary reasons cited are pest infestation, non-compliance with fumigation regulations, and lapses in quarantine protocols. Japan imposed a ban on Indian mangoes for a period of approximately 20 years, starting in the 1980s. Imports resumed in 2006. Now, 20 years later, in 2026, the ban has been reinstated.

**What is Vapor Heat Treatment?**
Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT) is a scientific process used to protect fruits—particularly mangoes, papayas, and similar produce—from pests prior to export. The fruits are exposed to hot air under controlled temperature and humidity conditions for a specific duration. This process aims to eradicate fruit flies, eggs, larvae, and other insects. Mangoes are placed in a chamber for a period ranging from 20 minutes to one hour, where the air temperature is maintained between 46°C and 48°C, with humidity exceeding 90%. This specific method is not utilized in the way mangoes are consumed locally by the people of Gujarat. **How ​​many mangoes does Japan import?** During the 2025-26 period, Japan imported approximately 250 to 400 tons of fresh, pulped, and processed mangoes from India, valued at ₹13 crore. In 2025-26, Gujarat’s ‘Gir Kesar’ mangoes were exported to Japan, fetching a value of approximately ₹1.80 crore. Gujarat’s Kesar mangoes account for approximately 35 to 60 tons—or 13%—of India’s total mango exports to Japan. These mangoes were exported via air cargo from Ahmedabad and Mumbai, having been sourced from Talala, Una, Visavadar, Mendarda, and Junagadh. Prior to export, they undergo processing—including VHT and irradiation—at pack-houses located in Gujarat.

**Kesar Mango Cultivation and Market in Gujarat**
At the onset of the 2026 Kesar mango season, 40 to 50 pickup vans loaded with Kesar mangoes used to arrive daily in Bhavnagar city from Talala Gir. However, due to a shortage of petrol and diesel, only 10 vehicles are currently arriving each day. The prices of Kesar mangoes from Talala Gir, as well as from Alang and Sosia, are declining in the Gir Somnath region.

Every year, 50 to 60 tons of Kesar mangoes are exported from the Talala APMC in Gir Somnath. However, due to a slowdown in international flight connectivity caused by the ongoing conflict, coupled with a rise in diesel prices, only 50 percent of the projected exports from Gir Somnath had been realized by the end of April.
Japan has imposed a ban on the import of Kesar mangoes.
There is a massive stock of Kesar mangoes currently available in Sosia. Consequently, due to the market glut, mango prices have witnessed a marginal decline of approximately ₹10 per kilogram.

Directly or indirectly, 50,000 laborers are associated with the mango trade.

In 2026, the total production of Kesar mangoes in Gujarat is estimated to range between 3.2 lakh and 3.6 lakh metric tons.

The Gir-Somnath, Junagadh, and Amreli regions witnessed robust growth towards the end of 2025.

In 2026, the Talala Market Yard recorded higher revenue in just 38 days than it did during the entire season of the previous year.

It is projected that by 2024–25, the total area under Kesar mango cultivation will expand to approximately 44,000 hectares.

In 2024, the total mango production in Gujarat stood at approximately 10.8 lakh metric tons, with Kesar mangoes accounting for a significant share of this output. Estimated Saffron Production in 2026 (in Lakh Metric Tons)
Gir Somnath–Junagadh–Amreli: 2.2 – 2.5
Bhavnagar–Porbandar–Rajkot: 0.4 – 0.5
South Gujarat (Valsad–Navsari–Surat): 0.3 – 0.4
Kutch and Other Regions: 0.2 – 0.3
Total Gujarat: 3.2 – 3.6 Lakh Metric Tons

District-wise Plantation and Production (2026)
District | Cultivation Area (in Hectares) [2026] | Estimated Production (in Metric Tons)
Gir Somnath | 18,000–19,000 hectares | 110,000 – 130,000 tons
Junagadh | 10,000–11,000 hectares | 70,000 – 85,000 tons
Amreli | 7,000–8,000 hectares | 55,000 – 65,000 tons
Bhavnagar | 2,500–3,500 hectares | 18,000 – 25,000 tons
Porbandar | 1,500–2,000 hectares | 10,000 – 15,000 tons
Rajkot | 1,200–1,800 hectares | 8,000 – 12,000 tons
Devbhumi Dwarka | 800–1,200 hectares | 5,000 – 8,000 tons
Jamnagar | 700–1,000 hectares | 4,000 – 7,000 tons
Morbi | | 3,000 – 5,000 tons
Kutch | | Production of 5,000–9,000 tons across 1,000–1,500 hectares.
Surat: 3,000 across 500–700 hectares.

000 – 5,000 tons production
Navsari: 2,000 – 4,000 tons production across 400–600 hectares
Valsad: 1,500 – 3,000 tons production across 300–500 hectares
Other Districts: 5,000 – 10,000 tons
Total Gujarat

310,000 – 350,000 metric tons across 40,000–44,000 hectares

Taluka-wise Production

Estimated Saffron Production for 2026

Gir Somnath District
Taluka | 2026 Scheduled Production (Metric Tons) | Note
Talala | 45,000 – 55,000 | Largest saffron plantation area; Market Yard located here
Una | 18,000 – 24,000 | Higher yield of export-quality crop
Gir Gadhada | 14,000 – 18,000 | Main area surrounding the Gir region
Kodinar | 10,000 – 14,000 | Katkantha belt—production has expanded
Sutrapada | 6,000 – 9,000 | New area; production has grown rapidly
Veraval | 2,000 – 4,000 | Limited, but commercial-scale production
Total | 95,000 – 124,000 | —

Junagadh District
Taluka | 2026 Projected Production (Metric Tons) | Note
Visavadar | 18,000 – 24,000 | Main area within the Girnar belt
Mendrada | 14,000 – 20,000 | Setup established for dried saffron processing
Vanthali | 10,000 – 15,000 | Established saffron cultivation area
Junagadh | 8,000 – 12,000 | Girnar area
Maliya Hatina | 7,000 – 10,000 — Rapidly increasing production
Mangrol: 5,000 – 8,000 — An area with a historical legacy of authentic Kesar mangoes
Keshod: 4,000 – 7,000 — Export prospects boosted by the Air Cargo Project
Bhesan: 3,000 – 5,000 — Limited, yet high-quality crop yield
Manavadar: 2,000 – 4,000 — New varieties and cultivars have been developed
Total: 71,000 – 105,000 —

Amreli District
Taluka (Year 2026)
Khambha: 20,000 – 28,000 — Amreli’s largest Kesar mango cultivation zone
Dhari: 12,000 – 18,000 — The elevated belt situated near the Gir region
Rajula: 6,000 – 9,000
Savarkundla: 5,000 – 8,000 — A prime horticultural zone
Lilia: 3,000 – 5,000 — Production centered around small villages
Amreli: 2,000 – 4,000 — Cultivation in the vicinity of the city
Bagsara: 2,000 – 3,500 — Limited production volume
Jafrabad: 1,500 – 2,000 — Precise estimates indicate a moderate yield
Total: 51,000 – 78,000 —

Total Production Across Three Districts — 2026
Gir Somnath: 0.95 – 1.24 Lakh Metric Tons
Junagadh: 0.71 – 1.05 Lakh Metric Tons
Amreli: 0.51 – 0.78 Lakh Metric Tons
Grand Total: 2.2 – 3.0 Lakh Metric Tons

Kesar Mango Production Trends in Gujarat (2015–2026)
Estimated Kesar Production (in Lakh Metric Tons)
2015: 2.00 — A normal season; demand surged following the grant of GI (Geographical Indication) status Increased
2016: 2.10 – Good harvest and increased income in Talala
2017: 1.20 – 1.35 – 40% decline due to weather conditions and disease
2018: 1.80 – 2.00 – Crop recovered
2019: 2.00 – 2.20 – Export demand increased
2020: 1.70 – 1.90 – Monsoon extended; flowering was delayed
2021: 2.20 – 2.40 – Cultivation area began to expand
2022: 2.50 – 2.70 – Area expanded into new districts
2023: 2.80 – 3.00 – Exceptional production and exports
2024: 2.20 – 2.50 – Quality impacted due to unseasonal rains
2025: 2.90 – 3.10 – Area exceeds 40,000 hectares
2026: 3.10 – 3.50 – Largest cultivation area and a bumper harvest

Talala APMC Prices
Annual Average Price (per 10kg)
2023: Rs. 500–650 (Normal)
2024: Rs. 650–900 (Quality impacted due to rains)
2025: Rs. 560 (Average income was good)
2026: Rs. 640 (Average)

Income in Talala
2025 Season
Season Duration: 44 days
Total Income (per 10kg box): 449,450
Total Quantity: 44,945 MT
Average Price / 10kg Box: ₹560
Total Farmer Income: Rs. 25.17 Crore (Google translation from Gujarati; please refer to the original report)