Mango is the most popular tropical fruit after bananas and its production and trade surpasses other fruits, including pineapples, papayas, and avocadoes. The production for mango had increased in the last decade, from 25 milion mtons in 2000 to 38 million mtons in 2010. This increase is due to the rising demand and exports to the US, Europe and the Middle East. The main mango producers in 2010 were India, which produces about 41 % of worlds’ production, followed by China, Thailand, Pakistan, Mexico and Indonesia.
Vietnam is currently the 11 th largest producer of mango with an estimated production of 0.5 million mtons in 2010 across an estimated area of 75,000 ha. The main mango growing provinces are found in the South Vietnam Mekong Delta area, namely Dong Thap, Tien Giang, Khanh Hoa, Dong Nai, Vinh Long and An Giang. Most are small farmers who grow mangoes in mixed fruit orchards. However, there are advanced farmers with mango holdings of up to 10 ha each. Mangoes grown in North Vietnam are less popular.
The peak mango season in Vietnam is April, although the fruit is available throughout the year through floral manipulation techniques using chemicals, pruning and water regime control.
The Hoa Loc variety is considered the best and preferred variety in South Vietnam, followed by the abundant and common Cat Chu, and the average Ba Mua Mua. During the peak season, the ex-farm prices for these varieties range from 20,000 – 25,000 VND (USD 1.20) per kg for the Hoa Loc, 10,000 VND (USD 0.50) for the Cat Chu 9 and only 5,000 VND (USD 0.25) for the Ba Mua Mua variety. The retail price of the fruit in the city is about two to three times the ex-farm price.
Mango is mainly produced for the domestic market but is also exported to China and the Middle East. With the improvement in fruit quality through the support of effective research and development, efficient extension system, formation of farmers’ groups, and the involvement of the private sector, Vietnamese mangoes will start exporting to the New Zealand market within the year.
Local mango collection center in Vietnam
Mango sold in Ho Chi Minh market