What Are the Reasons? The State of Kesar Mango Cultivation and the Market in Gujarat<\/p>\n
Dilip Patel<\/p>\n
Ahmedabad, May 29, 2026<\/p>\n
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\u2014such as pack-house processing, Vapor Heat Treatment (VHT), and irradiation\u2014that are mandated for mangoes destined for Japan are not applied to the mangoes consumed by the people of Gujarat.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
However, in March 2026, Japanese quarantine officials identified several deficiencies during an inspection of Indian treatment facilities.<\/p>\n
Japan’s Yokohama Plant Protection Association announced that shipments accompanied by Indian inspection certificates issued after March 25, 2026, would no longer be accepted.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
**What is Vapor Heat Treatment?**
\nVapor Heat Treatment (VHT) is a scientific process used to protect fruits\u2014particularly mangoes, papayas, and similar produce\u2014from 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\u00b0C and 48\u00b0C, with humidity exceeding 90%. This specific method is not utilized in the way mangoes are consumed locally by the people of Gujarat. **How \u200b\u200bmany 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 \u20b913 crore. In 2025-26, Gujarat’s ‘Gir Kesar’ mangoes were exported to Japan, fetching a value of approximately \u20b91.80 crore. Gujarat’s Kesar mangoes account for approximately 35 to 60 tons\u2014or 13%\u2014of 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\u2014including VHT and irradiation\u2014at pack-houses located in Gujarat.<\/p>\n
**Kesar Mango Cultivation and Market in Gujarat**
\nAt 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.<\/p>\n
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.
\nJapan has imposed a ban on the import of Kesar mangoes.
\nThere 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 \u20b910 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
Directly or indirectly, 50,000 laborers are associated with the mango trade.<\/p>\n
In 2026, the total production of Kesar mangoes in Gujarat is estimated to range between 3.2 lakh and 3.6 lakh metric tons.<\/p>\n
The Gir-Somnath, Junagadh, and Amreli regions witnessed robust growth towards the end of 2025.<\/p>\n
In 2026, the Talala Market Yard recorded higher revenue in just 38 days than it did during the entire season of the previous year.<\/p>\n
It is projected that by 2024\u201325, the total area under Kesar mango cultivation will expand to approximately 44,000 hectares.<\/p>\n
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)
\nGir Somnath\u2013Junagadh\u2013Amreli: 2.2 \u2013 2.5
\nBhavnagar\u2013Porbandar\u2013Rajkot: 0.4 \u2013 0.5
\nSouth Gujarat (Valsad\u2013Navsari\u2013Surat): 0.3 \u2013 0.4
\nKutch and Other Regions: 0.2 \u2013 0.3
\nTotal Gujarat: 3.2 \u2013 3.6 Lakh Metric Tons<\/p>\n
District-wise Plantation and Production (2026)
\nDistrict | Cultivation Area (in Hectares) [2026] | Estimated Production (in Metric Tons)
\nGir Somnath | 18,000\u201319,000 hectares | 110,000 \u2013 130,000 tons
\nJunagadh | 10,000\u201311,000 hectares | 70,000 \u2013 85,000 tons
\nAmreli | 7,000\u20138,000 hectares | 55,000 \u2013 65,000 tons
\nBhavnagar | 2,500\u20133,500 hectares | 18,000 \u2013 25,000 tons
\nPorbandar | 1,500\u20132,000 hectares | 10,000 \u2013 15,000 tons
\nRajkot | 1,200\u20131,800 hectares | 8,000 \u2013 12,000 tons
\nDevbhumi Dwarka | 800\u20131,200 hectares | 5,000 \u2013 8,000 tons
\nJamnagar | 700\u20131,000 hectares | 4,000 \u2013 7,000 tons
\nMorbi | | 3,000 \u2013 5,000 tons
\nKutch | | Production of 5,000\u20139,000 tons across 1,000\u20131,500 hectares.
\nSurat: 3,000 across 500\u2013700 hectares.<\/p>\n
000 \u2013 5,000 tons production
\nNavsari: 2,000 \u2013 4,000 tons production across 400\u2013600 hectares
\nValsad: 1,500 \u2013 3,000 tons production across 300\u2013500 hectares
\nOther Districts: 5,000 \u2013 10,000 tons
\nTotal Gujarat<\/p>\n
310,000 \u2013 350,000 metric tons across 40,000\u201344,000 hectares<\/p>\n
Taluka-wise Production<\/p>\n
Estimated Saffron Production for 2026<\/p>\n
Gir Somnath District
\nTaluka | 2026 Scheduled Production (Metric Tons) | Note
\nTalala | 45,000 \u2013 55,000 | Largest saffron plantation area; Market Yard located here
\nUna | 18,000 \u2013 24,000 | Higher yield of export-quality crop
\nGir Gadhada | 14,000 \u2013 18,000 | Main area surrounding the Gir region
\nKodinar | 10,000 \u2013 14,000 | Katkantha belt\u2014production has expanded
\nSutrapada | 6,000 \u2013 9,000 | New area; production has grown rapidly
\nVeraval | 2,000 \u2013 4,000 | Limited, but commercial-scale production
\nTotal | 95,000 \u2013 124,000 | \u2014<\/p>\n
Junagadh District
\nTaluka | 2026 Projected Production (Metric Tons) | Note
\nVisavadar | 18,000 \u2013 24,000 | Main area within the Girnar belt
\nMendrada | 14,000 \u2013 20,000 | Setup established for dried saffron processing
\nVanthali | 10,000 \u2013 15,000 | Established saffron cultivation area
\nJunagadh | 8,000 \u2013 12,000 | Girnar area
\nMaliya Hatina | 7,000 \u2013 10,000 \u2014 Rapidly increasing production
\nMangrol: 5,000 \u2013 8,000 \u2014 An area with a historical legacy of authentic Kesar mangoes
\nKeshod: 4,000 \u2013 7,000 \u2014 Export prospects boosted by the Air Cargo Project
\nBhesan: 3,000 \u2013 5,000 \u2014 Limited, yet high-quality crop yield
\nManavadar: 2,000 \u2013 4,000 \u2014 New varieties and cultivars have been developed
\nTotal: 71,000 \u2013 105,000 \u2014<\/p>\n
Amreli District
\nTaluka (Year 2026)
\nKhambha: 20,000 \u2013 28,000 \u2014 Amreli’s largest Kesar mango cultivation zone
\nDhari: 12,000 \u2013 18,000 \u2014 The elevated belt situated near the Gir region
\nRajula: 6,000 \u2013 9,000
\nSavarkundla: 5,000 \u2013 8,000 \u2014 A prime horticultural zone
\nLilia: 3,000 \u2013 5,000 \u2014 Production centered around small villages
\nAmreli: 2,000 \u2013 4,000 \u2014 Cultivation in the vicinity of the city
\nBagsara: 2,000 \u2013 3,500 \u2014 Limited production volume
\nJafrabad: 1,500 \u2013 2,000 \u2014 Precise estimates indicate a moderate yield
\nTotal: 51,000 \u2013 78,000 \u2014<\/p>\n
Total Production Across Three Districts \u2014 2026
\nGir Somnath: 0.95 \u2013 1.24 Lakh Metric Tons
\nJunagadh: 0.71 \u2013 1.05 Lakh Metric Tons
\nAmreli: 0.51 \u2013 0.78 Lakh Metric Tons
\nGrand Total: 2.2 \u2013 3.0 Lakh Metric Tons<\/p>\n
Kesar Mango Production Trends in Gujarat (2015\u20132026)
\nEstimated Kesar Production (in Lakh Metric Tons)
\n2015: 2.00 \u2014 A normal season; demand surged following the grant of GI (Geographical Indication) status Increased
\n2016: 2.10 \u2013 Good harvest and increased income in Talala
\n2017: 1.20 \u2013 1.35 \u2013 40% decline due to weather conditions and disease
\n2018: 1.80 \u2013 2.00 \u2013 Crop recovered
\n2019: 2.00 \u2013 2.20 \u2013 Export demand increased
\n2020: 1.70 \u2013 1.90 \u2013 Monsoon extended; flowering was delayed
\n2021: 2.20 \u2013 2.40 \u2013 Cultivation area began to expand
\n2022: 2.50 \u2013 2.70 \u2013 Area expanded into new districts
\n2023: 2.80 \u2013 3.00 \u2013 Exceptional production and exports
\n2024: 2.20 \u2013 2.50 \u2013 Quality impacted due to unseasonal rains
\n2025: 2.90 \u2013 3.10 \u2013 Area exceeds 40,000 hectares
\n2026: 3.10 \u2013 3.50 \u2013 Largest cultivation area and a bumper harvest<\/p>\n
Talala APMC Prices
\nAnnual Average Price (per 10kg)
\n2023: Rs. 500\u2013650 (Normal)
\n2024: Rs. 650\u2013900 (Quality impacted due to rains)
\n2025: Rs. 560 (Average income was good)
\n2026: Rs. 640 (Average)<\/p>\n
Income in Talala
\n2025 Season
\nSeason Duration: 44 days
\nTotal Income (per 10kg box): 449,450
\nTotal Quantity: 44,945 MT
\nAverage Price \/ 10kg Box: \u20b9560
\nTotal Farmer Income: Rs. 25.17 Crore (Google translation from Gujarati; please refer to the original report)<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":46932,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[3,54,7,4771],"tags":[14876,11451,14877,11875,10874,12932],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/allgujaratnews.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mango-1.jpg?fit=1000%2C568&ssl=1","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paUKPQ-e3z","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54037"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54037"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54037\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54039,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54037\/revisions\/54039"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allgujaratnews.in\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}