In a typical year, the mango season in Gujarat runs from about April to June, and sometimes into early July. Kesar from Saurashtra usually arrives in volume around May and peaks around May to June. The arrival of the monsoon, usually in June, brings the season to an end.
Pulp is packed only while fresh fruit is available, so most of the year's pulp is made in a few weeks. Outside that window, buyers draw from stock held by processors and traders.
The main growing areas
- Saurashtra: the Gir area in Junagadh and Gir Somnath districts, plus Amreli, is the heart of Kesar production. Talala is a well-known market for Gir Kesar.
- South Gujarat: Valsad and Navsari districts grow Alphonso, Kesar and other varieties, and fruit there often arrives a little earlier.
- Other states: pulp plants also draw on Alphonso from Maharashtra and Totapuri from South India, which have their own windows.
What changes the timing
Mango is a tree crop, and flowering in winter sets the size of the crop. Unseasonal rain, fog or cold during flowering can reduce fruit set. Hot spells can cause fruit drop. Pre-monsoon storms near harvest can damage fruit and cut the season short.
Mango trees also tend to bear heavily one year and lightly the next in many orchards. A short crop means fewer fruit for processing and more competition with the fresh market. The general effect of weather is explained in how weather and monsoon affect Indian crop prices.
How the pulp season runs
- Early season: plants start when fruit quality is good enough. Early fruit can be less sweet.
- Peak season: plants run long shifts to process as much good fruit as possible.
- Late season: rain and fruit quality decide when lines stop.
- Off season: pulp is sold from stock. Prices for the rest of the year depend partly on how much was packed.
When to book
Buyers who need a known variety and volume often agree terms before or early in the season, so the processor can plan fruit buying and packing. Late bookings depend on what is left in stock, which may be a different variety, Brix or age than you want.
If you book early, agree the variety, Brix, pack, quantity and shipment schedule in writing. Ask for approval samples from the new season's production before the bulk ships. The general approach is explained in forward or seasonal price booking.
Seasons are approximate and shift each year. Confirm timing with the processor as the crop develops.
Where we come in
We follow the Gujarat crop through flowering and harvest and share what processors are seeing. We help you book seasonal volumes with plants we have audited and visit during packing to check fruit and processing. Ask for a free sourcing review.