Junagadh: With the onset of the mango season, the global demand for Gir’s Kesar mangoes has increased, and this is visible in the stark price disparity between domestic and international markets. While a 10 kg box of Gir Kesar mangoes is currently priced between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,500 in Junagadh, the same produce fetches significantly higher rates abroad. In international markets, particularly in the UK, USA, Qatar, Canada, and Australia, Kesar mangoes are in high demand, retailing at approximately $25 to $30 per dozen.

So far, a total of 675 farmers from the Sorath region (southwestern Gujarat, within the Saurashtra region) have registered for mango exports through the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). Of these, 81 farmers from Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts have registered for exports in 2026. Registration for the current season will remain open until the end of May.

Kesar mangoes, primarily cultivated in the Junagadh and Gir Somnath belt, are renowned for their rich flavour and aroma, earning recognition not only across Gujarat and India but also in global markets.

According to Horticulture Officer M.D. Odedara, mango orchards span 29,245 hectares across the Sorath region. Of this, 19,183 hectares are in Gir Somnath district, 9,510 hectares in Junagadh, and 552 hectares in Porbandar. Last year, the region produced approximately 1.97 lakh metric tonnes of mangoes, with an average yield of 7 metric tonnes per hectare.

With the season now underway, fresh arrivals of Kesar mangoes are expected to increase in the coming weeks, drawing strong demand from both domestic and international buyers. Apart from catering to markets across Gujarat and India, exporters are also preparing shipments to overseas destinations.

Last year, a total of 689 metric tonnes of mangoes were exported from Gujarat. In addition to the Sorath region, export operations are also carried out from facilities in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Mumbai. DeshGujarat