ABSTRACT
Even though the mango originated in India, it is now being grown in at least 87 countries, with India, Brazil, Pakistan, Mexico, the Philippines, and Bangladesh the chief producers. Other important regions growing mango are Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, southeast Africa, South Africa, Israel, tropical Australia, U.S. (Hawaii, California, and Florida) and the West Indies; but nowhere is it so greatly valued as in India, where it occupies about 1 million ha or 70% of the area devoted to fruit crops. Mango occupies the same position in India as the apple in temperate climates and grapes in “Mediterranean” areas. India is the largest producer, far exceeding the other leading mango growing countries, and contributes about 65% of the total world production. 5 , 10 India, however, exports only a very negligible proportion (0.02%) of its product, as fresh fruit mainly absorbed in the Gulf States. The U.S. imported 8000 tonnes in 1975, most of it from Mexico and Haiti. Of the total 15,000 t trade in world mango products, India accounts for a share of 11,000 t (1969 to 1970). At present, mango juice (nectar, etc.) constitutes the major item of export, followed by mango chutney and pickles and mango slices in brine. The Philippines, Thailand, Mexico, and India are the major exporters of fresh mangoes.
